Wildfire in Similkameen 100 per cent contained

PENTICTON – A grass fire that broke out yesterday afternoon near Cawston in the Similkameen is now 100 per cent contained and under control.

The 15 hectare fire is located approximately six kilometres east of Cawston and was discovered yesterday afternoon, Sept. 26. No structures are threatened.

The fire has been encircled by either a hand guard or retardant lines, B.C. Wildfire information officer Justine Hunse says.

Three firefighters worked the blaze overnight. They will be joined by six more personnel today, along with a water tender.

Hunse says fire investigators will also be on the site today in an effort to determine the origin of the blaze.

The fire danger rating in many parts of the Okanagan and Similkameen remains high, including the Cawston area.

So far this season, 215,209 hectares have burned in the Kamloops Fire Centre, with 26 fires still active, Hunse says, compared with 916 hectares burned in the same time frame in 2016.

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