At approximately 6:56 p.m. on Wednesday (August 16, 2017) the West Kelowna Fire Rescue responded to a report of smoke in the area of Glencoe Road (Upper Westbank).

When the first due Engine (Engine 31 – Westbank) arrived in the area; they reported grey smoke in Glen Canyon Regional Park. Based on the location of the fire and anticipated access issues Engine 31 requested that the call be upgraded to a 2nd alarm. They also requested an Initial Attack Crew from the BC Wildfire Service.

With the assistance of Engine 32 (Lakeview Heights) and Squad 34 (Glenrosa); firefighters were able to hike into the steep and rugged section of the canyon to contain the fire. While a hand-guard was being dug around the fire, a portable pump was set up in Powers Creek. The fire area was thoroughly overhauled and a West Kelowna Fire Rescue will perform a recheck in the morning.  The fire was contained to an approximate size of 20-feet by 20-feet. Preliminary fire cause and origin investigation indicates that the fire was human caused and the ignition source is undetermined.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue responded with a total of 2 Engines, 1 water Tender, 2 Squads (Wildland Unit), 1 safety Officer and 2 Command Units for a total of 19 firefighters to the scene. Additional units were called to back-fill Westbank, Lakeview Heights and Rose Valley during the incident.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue was supported by West Kelowna RCMP and BC Ambulance and the BC Wildfire Service.