Unexploded ordinance found during mop up of wildfire in Predator Ridge area near Vernon

VERNON – The City of Vernon is warning residents about unexploded ordinance after one was found by firefighters fighting the Kokanee Road wildfire in the Predator Ridge area this weekend.

A team has been assembled to deal with the ordinance was found during the mop up stage of the Kokanee Road fire, according to a city press release.

The RCMP were called in to map the coordinates, the Department of National Defence has been notified and UXO recovery team has been assembled. Mortars, grenades, artillery shells and small arms ammunition are collectively as UXOs, the release says.

The area has been cordoned off and people living nearby have been told to stay away.

Unexploded ordinance may be in other areas around the city, including the Commonage area, the Okanagan Indian Band land, Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and rural areas, according to the release. Areas around Vernon were used for military training in the 1940s.

If an unexploded ordinance is discovered, residents are advised to call 9-1-1 and leave the area.

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