Cause of West Kelowna fire under investigation

KELOWNA – The cause of a quick moving West Kelowna fire remains under investigation.

Crews from West Kelowna Fire Rescue were called at At 730 p.m. Aug. 17, to the rapidly growing fire in the vicinity of Highway 97 and Highway 97C. Multiple reports to 911 described the fire as spreading up the hill.

"First arriving crews from the Westbank station found a fire approximately 150-by-50 feet in size burning in the grass and trees that was being driven uphill by strong winds. Additional fire crews from Glenrosa, Lakeview Heights and Rose Valley responded in support," West Kelwona fire chief Jason Brolund said in a press release.

"The BC Wildfire Service also provided multiple ground crews. Firefighters from both agencies were able to construct a fire guard around the fire and knock down the fire inside the guard."

No homes were threatened and no evacuations were required. Crews established a division in the Glenrosa area to patrol and ensure the fire did not spread into that area.

The fire was contained to .15 hectares in size.

The fire is suspicious. Investigators from the RCMP, BC Wildfire Service and West Kelowna Fire Rescue are at the scene, working together to determine the cause.

Firefighters from WKFR and BC Wildfire will remain on scene into the overnight period and will patrol the fire during the daytime tomorrow to ensure it is fully extinguished.

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