Firefighters worked hard Sunday to contain a wildfire in Kalamoir Regional Park in West Kelowna that is believed to have been caused by fireworks.
Kamloops Fire Centre information officer Michaela Swan said the fire, when first noticed late Saturday, was aggressive and fast-moving.
Firefighters from the West Kelowna fire department were assisted by provincial firefighters in battling the blaze.
Swan said an attack crew, a helicopter and air tankers were used. The fire was about five hectares in size.
Crews were hoping to get the stubborn fire fully contained by day’s end before the temperatures hit near-record levels.
A brief evacuation was done for five homes in the area. The popular Casa Loma resort was also evacuated as a precaution.
Swan warned anyone going out into the backcountry to realize there is a high fire risk and a single spark can set off a blaze.
“We are definitely seeing a change in the conditions,” she said. “This weekend it is now a high fire rating. The long grass is dry and ripe for a fire.”
She added that setting off fireworks is prohibited in the Kamloops fire district.
Provincial fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek said there are no significant fires burning around the province at this time. But he warns that two-thirds of the province is under a high fire danger rating.
“That is an indication of high temperatures and low humidity,” he said. “Right now, there are optimal conditions for a forest fire.”
Since April 1, there have been 457 fires reported in B.C., compared with more than 500 for the same period a year ago.
Fires caused by lightning are another concern
Skrepnek said that by late summer, there can often be major lightning storms that will start forest fires.
“We are entering a period where there will be lightning-started fires,” he said.
“The last thing we need is people-caused fires. People need to be diligent about campfire safety and improperly discarded cigarettes.”
