(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)
July 15, 2014 - 1:11 PM
WEST KELOWNA - The Smith Creek forest fire was caused by an unattended campfire located on private property in the bush area above the subdivision.
A press release from the District of West Kelowna states two spot fires started when sparks escaped from the campfire late in the evening following a 38 Celcius day and burned unnoticed until after dark.
The largest fire was about 1,400 square metres and both fires were approximately 300 m apart.
With the wildfire danger class rating at high to extreme, the B.C. Wildfire Management branch has issued a campfire ban for the entire Kamloops Fire Centre region starting July 16.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan has also put a campfire ban in place that includes West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, and the Central Okanagan East and West Electoral areas. The local ban also begins July 16.
Unauthorized fires are subject to up to a $500 and the cost of putting the fire out.
West Kelowna Fire and Rescue were told of the Smith Creek fire at about 12:30 a.m. Mon., July 14. They came to the Dixie Drive address with 21 firefighters, and were assisted by the Peachland Fire Rescue and a B.C. Forest Service Attack Crew. The Emergency Operations Centre was activated to support the response.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014