Two of three fires on Monday, July 15 in the South Okanagan and Similkameen remain under investigation. 

The Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB) is investigating two fires from the south end of Chopaka. 

The first was reported around 3:15 p.m., and members of the community as well as a FortisBC crew that had been working on a power line earlier that day helped to battle the blaze while the BC Wildfire Service responded, according to a press release from the LSIB. 

At 4:52 p.m., a second fire was spotted near Susap Creek, which was due to a structure fire.

The Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department joined the responding LSIB members in battling that blaze, which threatened additional nearby buildings and forced nearby residents to evacuate. 

The LSIB thanked the department for responding to the blaze and helping protect any other structures and the nearby grasslands from catching fire. 

The fire would show up on the BC Wildfire Service dashboard and grow to .49 hectares before it was considered under control. 

A third fire on July 15, was reported towards Anarchist Mountain of Long Joe Road.

That blaze grew to over 1.9 hectares and saw a response from not just the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department, but also from the Osoyoos Fire Rescue, Oliver Fire Department, Willowbrook Volunteer Fire Department, Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department, Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department, Naramata Volunteer Fire Department and BC Wildfire Service.

The cause of that blaze was a vehicle that caught fire sending flames spreading to the nearby brush. 

In addition, to the fires, the LSIB noted that it was working to resolve communication issues that impacted residents. 

"With no cell service at the Chopaka Cemetery, and little-to-no cell service at the start of North Chopaka, it was very difficult to maintain safe communications," reads the LSIB's press release. " Please be assured that LSIB is working hard to get communication in those areas via the Wildfire Service radio network, and with areas closer to towns/villages, we're working with the RDOS and fire departments to find solutions."