Rose Valley fire now out

Photo: Contributed - West Kelowna Fire Rescue

UPDATE 9:45 p.m.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue reports the Rose Valley fire is now out.

Fire Chief Jason Brolund says crews responded to the fire at 5 p.m., near the Rose Valley reservoir dam.

Crews first on the scene found a Rank 2 fire burning up a steep slope. No homes were threatened.

Wind in the area grew the fire quickly to Rank 3 before crews were able to surround it with water lines and a fire guard.

The fire grew to just over one hectare in size.

Twenty-one firefighters fought the blaze. West Kelowna utilities crews also attended to ensure the security and safety of the reservoir and water supply, which was not affected.

Crews will remain on scene as long as required overnight, and the fire will be patrolled over the weekend, says Brolund.

Two Wildfire Management Branch initial attack crews assisted, but air support was not required.

A preliminary fire investigation was conducted, but the cause of the fire is not yet known.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.

Fire crews are getting the upper hand on the grass/brush fire in Rose Valley.

Unconfirmed reports have helicopter air support turned away and ground crews working to surround the fire.

A small brush fire is burning in Rose Valley Park, in West Kelowna.

The fire is some distance from access points to trails in the park that circle the Rose Valley reservoir.

Smoke can be seen rising from downtown Kelowna and Okanagan Lake.

There is no word yet on the size of the fire, but several units were dispatched to the scene to fight the flames.

It is the second wildfire reported Friday in the Central Okanagan.

Earlier in the day, a grass fire was doused on Pooley Road in East Kelowna that burned an area 300x350 feet.

With record heat forecast this weekend and tinder dry conditions in the woods, residents and visitors are advised to use extreme caution.

Just before 6 p.m., a report also came in of smoke sighted near Crystal Waters, north of Lake Country, along Highway 97 by Kalamalka Lake.

Castanet will have more details on all the fires as they become available.

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