UPDATE: 3:40 p.m.
The grass fire on Old Airport Road came to a halt at about 3:15 p.m., thanks to suppression by crews on scene, as well as a rock face.
By about about 3:30 p.m. crews were starting to leave the scene. Penticton Fire Department left the scene in the hands of the Penticton Indian Band Fire Department for mop-up.
“It’s a good thing that rock face is there, that’s what it ran into,” said Penticton Fire Department Captain Ray Simpson.
Several stumps were still on fire, but the captain reassured that crews had wet-guarded the top of the ridge to deter the fire from spreading over the top.
The fire didn’t spread much larger than a hectare, thanks in part to winds dying down.
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EARLIER:
A grass fire approximately one hectare in size is burning close to Old Airport Rd in Penticton.
Crews are on scene and assessing the situation.
A captain on scene commented that the wind “wasn’t helping one bit.” Wind speeds are currently 33/km an hour coming from the south.
As of 2:53 p.m. the blaze had not carried over the top of the mountain. Firefighters are scattered along the ridge top with hoses. Fire crew are continuing to assess the situation.
More to come as this story develops.
(The approx. location of the fire)
(Phil McLachlan – Western News)
@PentictonNews editor@pentictonwesternnews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
