Flames raced up a Summerland hillside after a wildfire broke out Thursday afternoon.
On July 2, 2015, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the Summerland Fire Department, assisted by a crew from the BC Forestry Penticton Fire Zone, along with aerial support, attended to a grass/bush fire on Canyon View Road near Belvedere Place in Summerland.
RCMP Corporal Bruce Haley said the cause of the two-alarm blaze is yet to be determined. The RCMP consider it a suspicious fire and are investigating.
Any information regarding any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area of this fire can be directed to the Summerland RCMP at 250-494-7416.
An open burning ban comes into effect on July 3 in Summerland and throughout the Okanagan prompted by the trend of warm and dry weather, which have caused wildfires in the region have displayed aggressive behaviour and have required additional firefighting resources. Human-caused wildfires can divert critical resources and crews from responding to naturally occurring wildfires.
To report a wildfire or an open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to www.bcwildfire.ca.