Image Credit: West Kelowna Fire Rescue
March 20, 2021 - 3:48 PM
West Kelowna Fire crews had to snuff out two human-caused grass fires today, March 20, prompting a reminder to be careful when outdoors.
The first fire was sparked on the bluffs north-west of the Bennett Bridge.
The flames, which were spotted at 12:30 p.m. quickly grew and spread into heavier and denser brush, requiring a hoseline and crews to ultimately construct a handguard around the perimeter of the fire, estimated to be 150 meters by 75 meters.
"While West Kelowna firefighters were battling this blaze, reports were received of another grass fire at the opposite end of the city, this time in the Glen Canyon area of Glenrosa," Brent Watson, assistant fire chief for the West Kelowna Fire Department.
"A fire engine from the first fire was re-deployed, along with a Tender truck from nearby Station 34 in Glenrosa. On arrival, crews found an abandoned campfire and a nearby pile of burning debris, both of which were quickly extinguished."
All West Kelowna Fire resources, including off-duty staff, were needed to respond to these two concurrent fires, as well as to provide on-going fire protection to the rest of the city.
Both fires were human-caused, and serve as a reminder that grass fire season is now upon us.
"WKFR reminds residents to fully extinguish cooking and campfires, and to use extreme caution when disposing of cigarettes and other smoking materials," he said.
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