Vernon wildfire 20% contained after flames spark brief evacuation
August 15, 2012 - 8:00 AM
VERNON, B.C. - Fire crews in the North Okanagan believe they have gained the upper hand after an aggressive grass fire threatened two homes and a golf resort near Vernon, B.C.
The blaze broke out at around 3 p.m. Tuesday and erratic winds pushed it to within 10 metres of two homes before a fire guard stopped the advance.
The houses were evacuated briefly, but the residents have now been allowed to return and fire officials also say the nearby golf course has been spared.
Crews initially estimated flames had scorched more than half a square kilometre of grass land, but a GPS assessment overnight confirmed the fire had covered 36 hectares, or just over one-third of a square kilometre.
At the height of the blaze, more than 75 firefighters and wildfire management crews were on the scene, back up by helicopters and air tankers brought in from across the province.
Thirty-five firefighters worked through the night and say the interface fire is now estimated to be 20 per cent contained, but they are still trying to determine what sparked it. (CKIZ, CICF)
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News from © The Canadian Press, 2012