By Charlotte Helston INFO-TEL Multimedia August 19, 2013 - 9:28 PM

By Charlotte Helston INFO-TEL Multimedia  August 19, 2013 - 9:28 PM 
UPDATE: 7 a.m. August 20
It was a long night for firefighters, and the work isn't done yet. The fire information officer for the City of Vernon says crews battled flames and hot spots all night. "Right now it's under control, but it's going to burn for days," Courtenay Pitcher says. "There's still a good fire up there. The goal now is to keep it contained." Hot and windy weather mean we're not out of the woods yet, and residents on Clerke Road remain on evacuation alert, Pitcher says. "If the wind kicks up today, that's the big concern," Pitcher says. "It's a lot of hard work for firefighters working on spot fires in the black area where the ground has already burned." The city is hoping to get more assistance from the Wildfire Management Branch today, as well as some air support. There's another fire near Osoyoos that is also sucking resources. "We don't know if we're going to get any help today," Pitcher says.

UPDATE: 9 p.m. August 19
Firefighters remain on scene battling a large blaze at the Vernon landfill off Birnie Road. "There's still a lot of open flame on the north side of the landfill, and a few spot fires," deputy fire chief Jack Blair says. "We're hitting it hard, and we're making headway." Blair says large flames from a burning pile of wood are covering about half a hectare, while sparks are flying out over a space of ten hectares. Ground crews are focussing on three main hot spots right now. Helicopters were called off at nightfall. Residents on nearby Clerke Road have been notified by police to be ready to leave if they are put on evacuation notice. "Anything could happen. I'd be prepared to evacuate if need be," Blair says. Crews will remain on scene overnight, and residents will be alerted by police if they need to evacuate. The Greater Vernon Landfill will be closed to customers until further notice.