Some positive news for the community of St. Ives on the north shore of Shuswap Lake as the so-called Horseshoe Bay Fire is no longer considered out of control.

Shaelee Stearns with the BC Wildfire Service does note that even though the fire is now being held, it doesn’t mean the crews have stopped working on it.

“We have our 20 BC Wildfire personnel on site supporting the Anglemont Fire Department,” she said. “I don’t have an exact crew set up of them but they are definitely there with hand tools and putting in some lines as they work the flanks of the fire there.”

Those with properties at St. Ives were put on-notice last Thursday after the fire first broke out, and then jumped in size to around 18-hectares through the weekend.

“We were able to continue to make some good suppression progress on that fire,” Stearns added. “A note though is that you may still see smoke even if it is burning Rank 1 or Rank 2, as there will be some smoke that is put up into the air.”

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District said no structures were threatened by the fire, which was burning up the hill instead of towards St. Ives, partly due to calmer conditions and a low fire danger rating.

Stearns says its not clear when this fire will be considered under control.