Kelowna

Josh Fleming from Gallagher's Canyon Golf Course sent us this video of an air tanker dropping retardant on the fire. Send your pictures and video to news@castanet.net.

The Kelowna Fire Department was called out to the scene a fire in steep terrain off of McCulloch Road at KLO Creek Friday night.

Firefighters responded to the call at 6:30 p.m. after reports came in of smoke in the area.

Platoon Captain Lawrence Serres says upon arrival, crews found a Rank 3 fire burning a one acre area on a steep hillside.

The initial response team consisted of two bush trucks, two engines and a command vehicle, and the Kamloops Fire Centre was contacted for assistance.

"We have 9 personnel on the scene assisting the Kelowna Fire Department," says Fire Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek. "We also called in the air tanker out of Penticton."

They sent a crew by helicopter, a supervisor, along with the water bomber and two helicopters with buckets.

Within an hour there was another bush truck, a water tender from the Kelowna Fire Department, a total of 25 full time and Paid on Call members on scene, as well as 10 forestry crew.

Serres says their first step was to contain the fire by building a fire guard.

In the meantime the water bombers dropped two loads of fire retardant to slow and prevent any spread and the helicopters with buckets dropped well placed water to knock the flames down.

With no wind at the time, crews were able to put the main fire out and contain it to its original one acre size.

By night fall it was deemed out although some hot spots remained. However, due to the steepness of the terrain it was too dangerous to work the area in the dark.

A crew of four with a bush truck were left to monitor the scene and they reported 12 spot fires through the night.

Firefighters remained on the scene Saturday to watch for and put out any hot spots.

The cause of the fire is unknown but as there was no lightning Serres says it is most likely human caused. 

He cautions that the forest fire danger is rated as moderate (3) and climbing.

Fire Department officials warn that with the recent hot dry spell continuing, use caution when out in the forest trails and camping.