Campfire sparks grass fire in Kelowna

A grass fire could have become much worse last night in Kelowna, and the suspected cause was an abandoned campfire.

Somebody called 9-1-1 at 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 to report a fire along the Gillard Creek Forest Service Rd. in the upper mission area, according to a release from the Kelowna Fire Department.

The caller remained on scene and helped firefighters locate the fire, which was in a small ravine on the north side of Gillard Creek Forest Service Road, approximately 40 feet from the road.

Several emergency vehicles including two bush trucks were dispatched to the scene.

The bush fire was a rank two, approximately 40 feet by 30 feet in size, and embers were blowing in the wind, according to the first arriving officer.

READ MORE: Campfire bans being lifted in Thompson-Okanagan in time for the long weekend

Crews started putting it out after extending hand lines.

A guard was dug around the permitter after the flames were knocked down. The surrounding area was checked for hot spots because of the flying embers, but none were found.

Without quick action from the responders, the fire could have grown much larger, the release says.

The fire department reminds the public that camp fires are not allowed in the City of Kelowna.

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