The Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department took quick action to control a fire that broke out at Shuttle Creek Orchards on Saturday afternoon.
Fire Chief Fred Dobransky said the fire started about 3 p.m. and quickly spread through grass and trees.
Dobransky also said he sought support from the Caledon Fire Department, Willowbrook Fire Department and the BC Wildfire Service. He praised the quick actions of his team and neighboring support crews who built guardrails to protect homes along Peachcliff Avenue.
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The British Columbia Wildfire Management Agency announced that the fire was under control at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Dobransky was called back to the scene at 1 a.m. “I got the call that there was a problem with a tree. The fire had destroyed the tree and the roots,” he said.
At 9:25 a.m. Sunday, Dobransky was at the scene again to cut down trees and warned people to be extra careful.
“Yesterday was very windy,” he said. “It was very dry. The farm workers were milling and sparks flew into the grass and started a fire. That's how dry the weather is in the Okanagan. It's not good, it's just the beginning.”
Firefighters remained on scene to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
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