UPDATE: West Bench wildfire in Penticton 100 per cent contained

PENTICTON – Fire crews have contained a wildfire in Penticton’s West Bench area.

Ground crews are cleaning up hot spots but fire chief Larry Watkinson considers the wildfire 100 per cent contained. He says people will be allowed to return to their homes this afternoon.

A plume of smoke from the fire was spotted at about 9:30 a.m. today, July 20. The fire started in the Westwood Drive area.

Road access to the West Bench was been cut off to allow emergency crews to work, officials say. A tactical evacuation was initiated for some residents on Jonathan Drive and Westwood Drive.

Stephanie Chambers with the City of Penticton says two homes were damaged by the fire, but that damage was been limited to the roofs.

A helicopter along with city and regional firefighters fought the blaze. Penticton Fire Department members will remain on scene overnight tending to hot spots and watch for flare ups.

No word yet on the cause of the fire.

A fire in Penticton’s West Bench area, Thursday, July 20, 2017. FACEBOOK

A fire in the Westbench area of Penticton, Thursday, July 20, 2017. FACEBOOK/Roc Marten

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— This story was updated at 11:06 a.m. and 11:27 a.m. Thursday, July 20, 2017 to include new information.

— This story was updated at 12:51 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2017 to say the fire was 100 per cent contained.


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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.