by John Arendt

and Mike Simmons

Rain in Summerland may have dampened area fire conditions, but accompanying lightning brought just as many problems.

After a thunderstorm July 23, Summerland Fire Department crews chased after several spot fires around the community.

At 11:56 a.m., smoke was reported around Bathville Road.

Then, at 1:16 p.m., a grass fire broke out at the Trapper’s Flats area, caused by a lightning strike.

Another blaze on Cartwright Mountain was extinguished through the efforts both of the fire department and of the B.C. Forest Service. It was reported at 1:33 p.m., while crews were still battling the Trapper’s Flats fire.

Coun. Bruce Hallquist said this fire was on provincial crown land outside of the municipality’s boundaries. He added that the biggest problem was accessibility.

Lightning was also the cause of a fire in the rifle range on Wildhorse Road. Fire crews had to cut through the gate with a saw to gain access to the area.

This fire was reported at 2:24 p.m., although initial reports were of a structure fire with people trapped inside. When local and provincial firefighters attended, they discovered it was a grass fire, not a structure fire.

A grass fire was also reported on Giant’s Head Mountain at 3:31 p.m. but firefighters determined there was no fire.

Assistant fire chief Glenn Noble said the fire hall received close to 100 calls that day.

He urges people who observe a fire to call 911 when reporting a fire since members are not always at the detachment.

Noble said the rain on the weekend has given some relief, but the hot weather following has once again increased the risk of more wildfires.

“We were lucky we had some rain at the time,” he said, “but that bit of rain goes pretty quickly.”

The fires and thunderstorm came as provincial crews were working to contain a wildfire near Kelowna.

By press time, crews were still working to contain the 4,500 hectare fire.

There were 228 firefighters, 91 pieces of heavy equipment, 15 helicopters and 176 support personnel.

While the fire was 60 per cent contained by Tuesday, crews were monitoring the weather since moderate north winds and lower relative humidity could change the behaviour of the fire.

“With the current extreme dry conditions, it does not take very much to set off a wildfire,” said acting municipal administrator Ken Ostraat. “Sparks from a dirt bike or carelessly discarded cigarette can easily result in a fire.”

Mayor Janice Perrino commended the department on their work.

“What they do to keep Summerland safe is so important,” she said. “Good work and thank you everyone in the department.