Grass fire near Kekuli Bay now being held

B.C. Wildfire Service crews worked through the night to subdue a fire burning south of Vernon near Kekuli Bay.

Two helicopters and air tankers battled the blaze which started in the afternoon Sept. 7. The Westridge Road fire, which is visible from Highway 97 near Kekuli Bay, is now being held.

Fire information officer Gagan Lidhran said the smouldering ground fire is 25 hectares in size and the is not anticipated to spread. The fire was originally estimated to be around 35 hectares in size. Lidhran said air resources have since left the scene and 17 personnel were on site.

Witness and media reports said the fire was started by a truck that caught fire near Highway 97, however, Lidhran said the cause was still under investigation and had not yet officially been confirmed.

The B.C. Wildfire Service is asking the public to stay away from area as crews continue to work to extinguish the fire.

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