Central Okanagan

5:00 p.m. Update: The fire is now 100 per cent contained. It grew to about 20 hectares before crews could knock it down. Fire departments from Kelowna, Joe Rich and Ellison battled the blaze. Forestry also has 32 members working the fire line along with six air tankers and two helicopters. 

Emergency crews are on the scene of a grass fire off of Pyman Road in Joe Rich.

Photo: Contributed - Reid Foreman

The fire started around 3:30 Friday afternoon near the Pyman Road gravel pit.

The Joe Rich Fire Department is on the scene and the Ministry of Forests is on location.

Michaela Swan from the Wildfire Management Branch says, "It is estimated at six hectares. We have three initial attack crews on the fire along with two helicopters and air tankers are dropping retardant."

Swan says the fire is not immediately threatening any structures.

Fire crews on the scene report the fire is surrounded by gravel roads that will help to contain the fire. It is burning about 50 metres from the side of Hwy. 33.

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