Grass Fire Burning Near Vernon Landfill

Grass fire forces quick response
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jul 23, 2015 at 6:00 PM

Firefighters from across jurisdictions wasted no time tackling a grass fire late Thursday afternoon. Vernon, Coldstream and B.C. Wildfire crews converged on a tinder-dry hillside southwest of the Greater Vernon landfill, not far from Commonage Road. "We've got it knocked down. The guys hit it really hard," said Jack Blair, Vernon deputy fire chief. With a home in close proximity, the goal was to bring the fire under control but Mother Nature created some challenges. "The wind was swirling around pretty quick," said Blair. Tenders kept bringing water to the site and firefighters scoured the hillside looking for hot spots, including around power poles. Puffs of smoke billowing up from the ground dotted the landscape. Blair admits that it would take little for the fire to flare again. "We will be here for a long time to keep an eye on things," he said. It's not known what caused the fire but the area isn't easily accessible to people. A fire in the same area a few years ago was caused by a bird hitting a power line and causing a spark.

Posted on 7/23/2015 by KISS News Staff 107.5 KISSFM

Vernon Firefighters have been called to a grass fire burning near the landfill on Birnie Road. It's believed the fire is about one hectare in size. Fire crews are attempting to stop it moving toward some trees next to the dump. Smoke can be seen in the vicinity of Highway 97 and Commonage Road.
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Grass fire burning near Vernon landfill
July 23, 2015 - 5:49 PM By Charlotte Helston INFO-TEL Multimedia
VERNON - Emergency crews are descending upon a new grass fire in Vernon. The fire was reported just before 5 p.m. today, July 23 on Birnie Road, near the landfill, and is an estimated two hectares in size. The Vernon Fire Department is at the scene and has requested back up from B.C. Wildfire. Fire information officer Kelsey Winter says a water tender, a response officer and a helicopter to bucket the fire are on their way to the blaze. We do not yet know how aggressively the fire is burning or how it started.