Burning vehicle starts grass fire on Okanagan Connector

KELOWNA – A vehicle on fire in the westbound lane of the Okanagan Connector has started a small grass fire 26 kilometres west of Kelowna.

Seven firefighters are on scene of what B.C. Wildfire Officer Melissa Klassen describes as a primarily Rank 1 “smouldering ground fire with some open flame.”

Klassen says poor visibility from a U.S. wildfire prevented them from bringing in an air tanker, but a bucket helicopter has been cleared to leave the area.

“They’re probably making really good progress,” she says.

The fire is in the Mt. Wilson area near the Silver Creek pullout. It is estimated at only .4 hectares with no structures threatened.

The highway remains open in both directions.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.