UPDATE: Penticton crews get handle on grass fire near Westhills gravel pit

PENTICTON – Firefighters have gained the upper hand on a grass fire in Penticton this afternoon.

The fire broke out at about 3 p.m. today, Sept. 1, south of the Westhills Aggregates gravel pit on the Penticton Indian reserve.

It had grown to about two hectares in size before crews were able to contain it.

The fire was attended by members of the Penticton Indian Band Fire Department and the Penticton Fire Department. B.C. Wildfire crews and RCMP were also on scene.

A B.C. Wildfire helicopter also dropped buckets of water on the fire.

Penticton chief administrative officer Peter Weeber says crews are making progress, and have the fire contained and under control, as of 4:30 p.m. this afternoon.

No structures were threatened by the fire.

-—This story was updated at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 1, 2017 to include additional information about the fire from the City of Penticton.

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