UPDATE Wildfire south of Vernon ‘being held’

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The fire remains at 25 hectares and has 28 provincial personnel mopping up and patrolling for hot spots.

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“We did have crews overnight stay on the fire and they did make good progress throughout the evening as well,” added Lidhran.

The cause is still under investigation, but reports indicate it was a vehicle fire on the side of the highway that ignited the dry grass.

The fire is still visible from Highway 97.

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UPDATE 7 p.m.

The Westridge Road grass fire south of Vernon is now listed at 25 hectares in size, and crews are said to be making progress on it.

The lower size estimate, down from the earlier 35 hectares, is due to a more accurate mapping by B.C. Wildfire Service crews.

“The status is still out of control, Gagan Lidhran, information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service told Vernon Matters. “We do have one helicopter that is bucketing the fire, but two are assigned should we need them. We have 17 B.C. Wildfire Service personnel on scene and there are more resources on route.”

Lidhran said crews will be monitoring the site overnight.

“Crews are making good progress on the site. It’s mostly a smouldering ground fire.”

She added they were concerned about winds when it started, but based on the current fire activity, that isn’t so much of a concern and they do have crews on site should the winds pick up.

No structures are threatened and the cause is officially under investigation but reports suggest it started from a vehicle fire near Westridge Road, 9.5 km’s south of Vernon, which spread to the grass on the west side of Highway 97 and everyone made it out of the pickup truck involved without injuries.

Click here to see video of the fire scene (submitted by Colton Boomer).

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UPDATE 4:30 p.m.

The B.C. Wildfire Service told Vernon Matters there is no new information on the Westridge Road fire at this time but they expect another update sometime after 6 p.m. tonight.

The following information was released in a City of Vernon update at 4:27 p.m.:

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to the Westridge Road (K41637) wildfire approximately 9.5 kilometres south of Vernon on Highway 97. The fire is currently estimated to be 35 hectares in size. Ground crews are on-site along with aerial support and the assistance of Vernon Fire Rescue Services.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. This fire is not currently threatening structures; however, it is producing smoke that is visible from Highway 97 and surrounding communities.

Please check https://www.drivebc.ca/ for further information on road conditions in the area.

The Wildfire Service says the cause is officially “under investigation,” but it’s believed to have been caused by a vehicle fire on the side of Highway 97 near Westridge Road around 1 p.m.

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UPDATE 4 p.m.

Fire crews appear to be making progress on fighting a grass fire on the west side of Kalamalka Lake south of Vernon.

City of Vernon fire crews have been assisting the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) in the battle.

The BCWS is using firefighters on the ground as well as air tankers and helicopters to curb the spread.

The #BCWildfire Service is responding to the Westridge Road (K41637) wildfire approximately 9.5 kilometres south of Vernon and #BCHwy97. The fire is currently estimated to be 35 hectares in size. Ground crews, aerial support, and Vernon Fire Rescue Services are on site. pic.twitter.com/bc8PpJnFiw

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) September 7, 2020

“The planes are no longer circling, but the helicopters are bringing load after load of water. They seem quite effective,” said one person on social media while observing the fire fight. “The guys with the hose are moving slowly along the northern edge of the fire. They seem to have sprayed more water than could be in the truck! What a response. Thanks firefighters!!”

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UPDATE 2:54 p.m.

The B.C. Wildfire Services says the Westridge Road fire south of Vernon is 35 hectares in size.

It is still classified as out of control.

Two helicopters and air tankers along with four BCWS personnel are working the site along with Vernon Fire Rescue members.

“No structures are threatened at this time,” said Gagan Lidhran, information officer with BCWS.

Lidhran says winds of 25 km-h have made the firefighting effort more difficult, with winds coming from mostly the north, blowing the fire southward.

The location is about 9.5 km’s south of Vernon — north of Kekuli Bay — a provincial park just off Highway 97 on the west side of Kalamalka Lake.

It’s on the other side of the highway from the provincial park and homes in the Kalamalka Lakeview Drive area.

The Wildfire Service says the cause is officially “under investigation,” but it’s believed to have been caused by a vehicle fire on the side of the highway around 1 p.m.

#BCHwy97 Brush fire south of #VernonBC – use caution & watch for fire crews & traffic control. #KalamalkaLake

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) September 7, 2020

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UPDATE 2:31 p.m.

Vernon Fire Rescue is asking all boaters and water users to clear the area near Kekuli Bay on Kalamalka Lake, where emergency responders are using water from the lake to fight the grass fire on the west side of HWY 97.

Three helicopters and an air tanker are currently drawing water from Kalamalka Lake. Please clear the area for everyone’s safety.

The fire is believed to have started after a pickup truck hauling a travel trailer caught fire on the side of the highway around 1 p.m.

Vehicle on a side road off of #BCHwy97 is on fire south of #VernonBC – hillside is also burning. Fire crews have mostly extinguished the vehicle at this point. pic.twitter.com/hC5TEjpOW8

— Megan Turcato (@meganturcato) September 7, 2020

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UPDATE 2:10 p.m.

Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) and the BC Wildfire Service are currently responding to a grass fire north of Kekuli Bay, on the west side of Highway 97.

The City of Vernon says firefighters are currently managing the fire, however, they are experiencing difficulties with traffic levels in the area.

To assist firefighters with their response, please avoid traveling along Highway 97 and the side roads near the fire scene.

VFRS appreciates everyone’s patience while firefighters respond to this event.

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1:45 p.m.

A grass fire has broken out on the west side of Kalamalka Lake south of Vernon.

Reports indicate the fire was sparked by a vehicle fire near Westside Road that got into the grass and spread.

There are fairly strong winds in the area today.

Vernon Matters has calls into the the BC Wildfire Service for more information.

https://twitter.com/KeliWestgate/status/1303074175741915136