Wildfire burns close to homes

A wildfire came within 50 feet of homes in Kelowna before fire crews were able to contain it.

Around 7 p.m. Wednesday, several smoke sightings were called in to the fire dispatch centre. Crews spotted a small fire, about 15ft X 20ft,  halfway between the Rail Trail and the Monashee neighborhood on Dilworth Mountain.

“The rank 2 fire quickly ran up the steep grade toward homes on the edge of the neighborhood,” Captain Scott Clarke said. “Crews were deployed to the 900 block of Monashee Place where an aggressive fire attack began.”

The initial arriving officer advised rank 3 fire intensity with a high rate of spread.

“Crews were able to secure a water supply and stop the fire approximately 50 feet from several homes but not before the fire had grown to 250ft X 75ft in size,” Clarke said.

There were no injuries, and no damage to property.

The Kelowna Fire Department responded with four engines, o bush truck, a command unit and a deputy chief including 18 fire personnel.

Clarke is thanking the public for being diligent in reporting fires.