A helicopter covers the Vlem Creek fire. The fire burning in the forested hills east of Armstrong has now been classified as “contained” after it first ignited on Friday night. The Vlem Creek Fire was one of two highly visible fires burning in the North Okanagan on Friday, the first being the Cosens Creek Fire in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. After quick work by fire crews on Friday, the Cosens Creek fire was classified as contained on Saturday morning and now, the Vlem Creek fire has followed suit. A fire classified as contained means that fire crews do not expect the fire to spread beyond predetermined boundaries. Firefighters from the Wildfire Service of 25 BC remain at the scene of the fire on Sunday. “They’re going to continue to work on that engine guard and put some wet lines around the fire,” said fire information officer Shaelee Stearns. The fire, which was showing Category 3 behavior when it first started on Friday, has grown to three hectares in size. It is believed to be man-made.
