A large grass fire near the Kelowna International Airport was likely caused by a tossed cigarette on Sunday morning.
At approximately 11:15 a.m. the Kelowna Fire Department Dispatch Center began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a grass fire in the area of Dry Valley Road and Highway 97 near the Kelowna airport.
The first arriving officer reported a grass fire along the embankment next to the highway and approximately 400 metres north of Dry Valley Road.
The fire was classed as rank one and was complicated by winds, said Kelowna Fire Department.
The blaze grew to 100 feet by 200 feet before it was brought under control and extinguished.
The cause is undetermined, but most likely from discarded cigarette, said John Kelly, platoon captain of the Kelowna Fire Department.
One of the south bound lanes of the highway was closed while fire crews put out the fire. The fire department didn’t say whether any flights were interrupted by the smoke.
“We would like to remind everyone that as the ground quickly starts to dry out, please dispose of smoking material responsibly and in an appropriate container,” said Kelly in a release.
Kelowna fire responded with three engines, bush truck, water tender, command unit and 14 personnel.