UPDATE: Team effort keeps lakefront fire from causing more damage

UPDATE: 6:30 p.m.

No one was injured in a fire that consumed a recreational vehicle in the campsites near Old Ferry Wharf Road on Westbank First Nation territory.

The blaze broke out just before 3 p.m. today.

Responding crews from West Kelowna’s Lakeview Heights and Westbank stations found a fully involved RV and fire spreading to an adjacent unit and the grass surrounding the area.

“Typical winds for this time of day were carrying the fire quickly uphill towards Highway 97 in the tall, dry grasses. Crews from Glenrosa and Rose Valley stations responded there to stop the fire at the top of the hill,” said fire chief Jason Brolund.

There were 22 WKFR firefighters and eight fire apparatus on scene.

The Kelowna Fire Department’s marine rescue boat and the North Westside Fire Rescue mobile water supply boat also assisted, pumping lake water uphill to stop the further spread of the fire.

“BC Wildfire crews were requested for assistance and deployed initial attack ground crews as well as a helicopter for bucketing from the air,” said Brolund.

RCMP facilitated the tactical evacuation of about six 6 residences off Old Ferry Wharf Road that were at risk. Firefighters with support from the helicopter stopped the fire within 100 metres of the first home, preventing any further loss.

All the evacuated residences were able to return home.

There were no injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“This is the typical “Okanagan Summer” fire event that our teams train to respond to. We are grateful for the support, cooperation and team work from all agencies involved which resulted in the outcome today,” Brolund remarked.

With fire season in full swing, and the fire danger rising,  the public is reminded to report any sign of fire or smoke to 9-1-1 immediately. This gives firefighters the chance to respond quickly and extinguish fires while they are small.

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UPDATE: 4:00 p.m.

Fire crews were able to knock down a fire along Okanagan Lake in West Kelowna near the Bennett Bridge this afternoon.

Reports say it started as a mobile home fire and was moving up the embankment, before crews got a handle on it.

On behalf of the responding agencies, West Kelowna RCMP is asking the public to avoid the area near Old Ferry Wharf Road, just north of the Bennett Bridge.  In particular, it is requested marine traffic stay away from the area.

Police say they will provide further updates as information becomes available.

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Fire crews are trying to contain a blaze along Okanagan Lake in West Kelowna.

Reports say it started as a mobile home fire and has been moving up the embankment towards the highway with fire crews on the scene.