FILE PHOTO - Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is seen in this May 2020, file photo.
(HOWARD ALEXANDER / iNFOnews.ca)
July 26, 2022 - 12:20 PM
Witnesses reported seeing a flare at Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park just before a grassfire sparked on Saturday night.
Police responded to the area around 11:30 p.m., July 23, after they were called to help the Coldstream Fire Department, according to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP news release issued today, July 26.
The fire started near the 9800-block of Coldstream Creek Road and was "quickly extinguished," avoiding the risk of growing to a large interface fire in the beloved provincial park.
"It is under investigation and we’re certainly looking into the possibility that it may have been human caused," Vernon RCMP spokesperson, Const. Chris Terleski, said in the release. He said the cause remains "undetermined" for now.
The fire grew to around 100 square metres and firefighters remained on the scene after it was extinguished due to dry conditions and concerns for another flare up, Terleski said in an email to iNFOnews.ca.
The District of Coldstream used the fire as an opportunity to remind residents that the Okanagan is currently under an open burning ban and contravening the wildfire act risks fines of up to $10,000.
The District and Vernon RCMP did not respond to questions about the fire yesterday, July 25.
A July 25 news release said the fire started in the "early morning hours" of July 24, but RCMP now say it was around 11:30 p.m., July 23.
No one has been fined due to the grass fire, but police warned that the current heat wave increases fire risk across the region.
"Careless acts can have devastating consequences; it only takes one spark to ignite a wildfire," Const. Terleski said in the release.
"Really be aware of everything you are doing and do everything you can to minimize the risks of starting a fire. Dispose of cigarettes properly, never leave a campfire unattended, and always follow any burning restrictions."
To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2022