Photo: Andy King
A grass fire broke out behind Chasers Bottle Depot in Vernon on Sunday.
UPDATE: 2:25 p.m
Vernon Fire Rescue’s deputy fire chief says a grass fire that broke out on 48th Avenue Sunday was human-caused, but not criminal in nature.
According to a statement from the City of Vernon, the fire broke out around 11:40 a.m. in the 3100 block of 48th Avenue, near Chasers Bottle Depot, in a grassy area along the tracks of the railway
The city said when crews arrived, the fire was about 50 feet by 50 feet. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire with equipment from the department’s logging truck and two engines.
Alan Hofsink, deputy fire chief, said the fire was determined to be caused by an individual but did not appear to be criminal in nature.
“We can confirm that there was no train in the area when the fire broke out near the railway line,” Hofsink said.
“Thanks to the diligent and precise actions of our well-trained crews, these fires were quickly attacked and extinguished, preventing them from spreading and potentially causing much greater damage.”
According to Andy King, who witnessed the fire, the flames were burning the grass around what appeared to be a camp.
King said before firefighters arrived, a man tried to put out the fire with a water bottle, but the fire quickly spread to nearby train tracks.
The City of Vernon said the 48th Avenue lawn fire was the second of two fires extinguished by Vernon Fire Rescue Services in a 24-hour period.
According to the city, firefighters responded to a wildfire at the base of Turtle Mountain along Alexis Park Drive around 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
The city said the 30-foot-by-30-foot fire was quickly extinguished and was out of danger.
Hofsink said the second fire was also determined to be human-caused and did not appear to be criminal in nature.
He said as the region enters a period of hot, dry weather, it’s important for residents to be vigilant.
“It’s critical that everyone be aware of their surroundings, be careful with their outdoor activities and report fire or smoke immediately to 911 if they see it,” Hofsink said.
“We need to work together to protect our community from fire hazards year-round, but we need to be even more cautious during these hot Okanagan summers.”
ORIGINAL: 1:00 p.m
Vernon firefighters extinguished a grass fire near the Chasers Bottle Depot Sunday afternoon.
Andy King was driving through the area near 31st Street and 48th Avenue around noon when he noticed smoke. When he looked closer, he found flames burning the grass around what appeared to be some sort of camp.
King says a man tried unsuccessfully to put out the fire with a water bottle and the fire quickly spread to nearby railroad tracks.
But firefighters from Vernon Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and brought the fire under control before it spread to any buildings.
Photo: Andy King
The fire spread along the railroad tracks.