As firefighters work to contain a huge forest fire that is burning near Kelowna, B.C., it is now expected to be several more days before the wreckage of a float-equipped waterbomber is raised from Okanagan Lake.
Abbotsford-based Conair Aviation owns the plane and says the fuselage is under about 75 metres of water, off Fintry on the northwestern shore of the lake.
The pilot of the single-engine Air Tractor confirms the wheels of the amphibious plane were mistakenly extended through the pontoons as the tanker scooped up water on Saturday.
Transportation Safety Board investigators say the cause of the crash is no mystery but an investigation will try to determine if changes in procedures can avoid the problem in future.
The waterbomber was engaged in fighting the 45-square-kilometre Terrace Mountain fire near Fintry is now 60 per cent contained, according to the B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range.
But it will be several more days until evacuation orders in the region are lifted.
Forestry crews want to reinforce guards and begin back-burning before about 1,000 residents return.
Meanwhile, several people remain out of their homes as crews try to contain the Mount Mclean wildfire raging west of Lillooet, threatening two homes along the northeastern shore of Seton Lake.
And a lightning-caused fire broke out late yesterday afternoon east of Cache Creek, spreading to 60 hectares and forcing the evacuation of three homes.
With a report from The Canadian Press
