At 730pm last night, crews from West Kelowna Fire Rescue were called to a rapidly growing fire in the vicinity of Highway 97 and Highway 97C. Multiple reports to 9-1-1 described the fire as spreading up the hill.
First arriving crews from the Westbank station found a fire approximately 150x50ft in size burning in the grass and trees that was being driven uphill by strong winds. Additional fire crews from Glenrosa, Lakeview Heights and Rose Valley responded in support. The BC Wildfire Service also provided multiple ground crews. Firefighters from both agencies were able to construct a fire guard around the fire and knock down the fire inside the guard.
No homes were threatened and no evacuations were required. Crews established a division in the Glenrosa area to patrol and ensure the fire did not spread into that area.
The fire was contained to .15ha in size.
The fire is suspicious. Investigators from the RCMP, BC Wildfire Service and West Kelowna Fire Rescue are at the scene, working together to determine the cause.
Firefighters from WKFR and BC Wildfire monitored the fire overnight, and will patrol the fire today to ensure it is fully extinguished.