Kelowna firefighters have the Glenmore bush fire contained on all sides while forestry fire crews are en route and a helicopter remains on standby.
The blaze began around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday near 2130 Scenic Rd. in Glenmore.
Patricia Vangolen and David Spicer were taking a break from their tandem bicycle ride along Scenic road when Vangolen noticed a plume of black smoke.
Spicer attempted to see if anyone was at the nearby Glenmore fire hall, before he phoned 911.
It was around that time Don Wirch’s family was alerted about the fire by a neighbour.
“They told us they’d called 911,” said Don’s 20-year-old daughter, Rebekah Wirch.
“We just ran out, grabbed some garden hoses and started spraying it down.”
According to Don, about five families live in the immediate area, and nearly everyone attempted to spray down the fire to contain it to the best of their ability.
“Being a farming area, everybody is out in the orchard working. They saw (the fire), came running up here, grabbed their hoses and tried to get as much water on it as they could,” said Don.
When the fire crews arrived and took over they found smoke and flames advancing uphill and into a forested area on the property.
Around 11:30 a.m., platoon captain Kelly Stephens said the fire was contained on all sides, noting the response included three engines, a command vehicle, one bush truck and two tenders—25 personnel in total.
Don noted there was a small fire in the area 25 years ago, higher up the hill, which was likely caused by people hiking in the area.
“We always have a few boxes ready to go, just in case,” said Don.
“If something happens, you’ve got to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
Stephens estimated the fire was about 400 by 600 metres.
Crews are in the mop up stage as they also deal with flare ups due to wind inside the guard.
The Kelowna Fire Department reminds residents that there is no burning within the city limits at this time.
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
Twitter: @PatersonWade
