North Okanagan farmer dies surrounded by fire in dry field

A Lumby farmer has been killed after the tractor he was driving ignited and set fire to the field around him.

According to a July 23 Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media release, the farmer was using a tractor and baler which caught fire around 2 p.m. yesterday, July 22.

Due to the extremely dry conditions, the fire quickly spread across the field to nearby trees and a hay shed that was destroyed by fire.

“Tragically, the man was unable to escape the fire and was found deceased close to the burnt-out tractor and baler,” Vernon RCMP spokesperson Const. Chris Terleski said in a media release.

Police say they attended a rural property in the 1300 block of Trinity Valley Road, north of Lumby at roughly 2:30 p.m. after a report of an out-of-control fire.  

“BC Wildfire Services quickly deployed helicopters to the property and neighbours were able to keep the fire from reaching the residence until the Lumby Fire Department arrived,” the media release says.

Police say that the BC Coroners Service attended the scene and is now conducting its own concurrent fact-finding investigation.

“Our sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends, and the community during this incredibly difficult time,” Terleski said.

Separately, last week a Lumby man was fined $1,150 for burning garbage on a rural property east of Lumby.

“It only takes a second for things to get out of control,” const. Terleski said. “Fire regulations are in place for very good reasons and need to be followed.”