(UPDATE: July 18 @ 6 am) - An Osoyoos home and "multiple" cars were destroyed in a fire Thursday afternoon.
Osoyoos Fire Rescue (OFR) says crews responded to the fire on Radio Tower Road around 2:45 pm.
"On arrival of the first truck, firefighters came up to multiple cars and a house on fire," noted an OFR statement. "Firefighters attempted to knock the fire back and an additional brush fire was also actioned."
According to Sgt. Jason Bayda, the early indication is that the destructive fire started as the homeowner was mowing their lawn.
Sparks from the mower started a grass fire, which spread to the garage and home then vehicles as well.
While the OFR responded with seven trucks and 19 personnel to the emergency call, the BC Wildfire Service also sent an initial attack crew and aerial support to assist.
The grass fire reached 2.4 hectares in size before it was brought under control.
(UPDATE: July 17 @ 6:20 pm) – BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the grass fire burning in Osoyoos is now held at 2.4 hectares.
That means the fire is "to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary."
The latest update came in just before 6 pm.
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There is still one initial attack crew and one helicopter working alongside fire departments from Oliver and Osoyoos.
Online reports suggest the grass fire was started by a lawn mower and two structures may have been impacted.
However, no official reports have been issued as of Thursday night.
When more information is released, this story will be updated.
(Original story: July 17 @ 4:32 pm) – A grass fire has broken out in the South Okanagan and crews are working to contain the fire before it spreads any further.
The Oliver and Osoyoos fire departments are responding with help from the BC Wildfire Service.
Online reports suggest the grass fire was started by a lawn mower and two structures may have been impacted.
However, no official reports have been made at this time.
Not sure if it’s this one… 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ZEh4R9zjAG
— Catnip (@catnip2377) July 17, 2025
According to the BCWS, the fire is 0.5 hectares.
The Oliver Fire Department says the fire is burning toward the Cottages on Osoyoos Lake.
BCWS clarifies that the fire is located on Radio Tower Road.
“Road access is limited, please stay away and allow access for Fire Crews,” the Osoyoos Fire Department said in a social media post.
“If you don’t need to be in the area don’t go!”
According to BCWS, there is one initial attack crew responding to the fire.
They are assisted by one helicopter, a birddog and two air tankers.
