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A small grass fire was quickly contained Monday afternoon when a few Joe Rich residents acted quickly and efficiently, responding to the 10 by 10 metre blaze off Highway 33.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com.
At around 2:00 in the afternoon, local Joe Rich resident Colleen Mason was chatting with her neighbour on the phone and watering her plants when she heard a big bang come from just behind her home, which is located a few kilometres past the hairpin on Highway 33.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com.
What she initially thought to be an accident turned out to be a grass fire, spurting large flames nearly reaching the power lines.
“I looked and I could see the flames shooting straight up above the truck that was parked here,” said Mason.
After calling 911, Mason and her neighbour grabbed fire extinguishers and shovels and made their way to the side of the highway to help contain the small grass fire.
“We’ve learned from all the fires we have around here,” added Mason.
A few Joe Rich fire fighters were on scene already, and once BC Wildfire Service arrived the blaze was quickly contained.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com.
According to Initial Attack Crew Leader Kyle Gillich, the grass fire started next to the highway and quickly took off.
“The local public did most of the work, and the firemen finished the job. We arrived after it was mopped up,” added Gillich.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but investigators are currently heading to the incident to assess the burn area. Gillich said there was no cigarette butts found at the scene so far.
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