Forest fire contained

 Ellison Park Campground Evacuated For Fire
Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Sunday, 14 July 2013 18:02 

Castanet Photo

 City of Vernon officials say the Ellison Provincial Park campground has been evacuated due to a fire. City spokesperson Courtenay Pitcher says more details will be releassed soon, but at this point they are asking traffic to turn around at Marshall Field as they don't want vehicles in the area. The park is located south of Vernon on Okanagan Lake.
--------------------
Update: 8:32pm KISSFM
A wildfire at Ellison Park south of Vernon has been contained and all residents and campers at the campground are allowed to return.  Okanagan Landing Road has been reopened at Paddlewheel Park.  It had been shut down to keep vehicle traffic out of the fire zone. Courtenay Pitcher from the City of Vernon says the rain in the area played a big part in dampening the blaze which reached two hectares. No word on the damage. 250 people at the campground had to be evacuated and residents at the Outback Resort were on evacuation alert. The evacuated campers were asked to report to Marshall Field or the Rec Centre to make sure everyone was accounted for. Kayla Pepper from the BC Forest Service says the cause is under investigation, but they suspect it was human caused because there hasn't been any lightning in the area. It took several hours for the 30 members of Vernon Fire Rescue and 23 firefighters from the Forest Service to get containment on the blaze which started in the campground area Sunday afternoon. Two air tankers with help from two helicopters were able to spread retardant around the fire area to help contain it. The provincial park is located south of Vernon on Okanagan Lake.
 ___________________________________________

  by Trevor Rockliffe - Kelowna Correspondent - Castanet Jul 14, 2013 / 6:04 pm
Update 6:45 p.m.:
Wildfire Management and the Vernon Fire Department are currently battling a two hectare blaze near Ellison Provincial Park. The campground is being evacuated as a precaution, evacuees are gathering at Marshall Field on Okanagan Landing road. Three wildfire personnel are currently on scene with 20 more en route. Two air support from Kamloops and Penticton as well as two helicopters are working to get water from Okanagan Lake and are helping to douse the fire. According to Kayla Pepper, of the Kamloops Fire Centre, the blaze is burning at a rank two. "There are a few trees candling, but at this time the fire is burning on the ground in open timber. " Those being evacuated that need further assistance are asked to go to the Vernon Rec Centre, at 3310 37 Ave, and speak with Emergency Services.
-------
Update 8:30 p.m.: The wildfire burning near Ellison Provincial Park is being called contained.
Okanagan Landing Road is now open and campers are being allowed to return back to their sites. Those living past Paddlewheel Park who were unable to get to their homes are also able to return.