Person arrested after wildfire sparks in Kelowna, B.C., park

A wildfire on Knox Mountain in Kelowna, B.C., is seen on Friday, Oct. 24. (Courtesy: Castanet)

An individual was arrested in connection with a wildfire that sparked on Kelowna’s Knox Mountain Friday afternoon, according to authorities.

The Kelowna RCMP blocked off roads and access points to the park just north of downtown around 4 p.m., asking the public to avoid the fire.

Mounties said the person arrested in relation to the fire remains in custody.

“This is an ongoing investigation and no further information can be released at this time,” the detachment said in a news release.

Witnesses reported seeing a man start the fire, which spread through the grass on the south side of the mountain, according to Castanet, which reported smoke was visible throughout the city.

Firefighters helped hikers off the mountain and remained on scene battling the blaze as of 5 p.m., when Castanet reported the fire appeared to be mostly extinguished and that rain was falling in the area.

Winds were high in Kelowna Friday afternoon, blowing 30 km/h with 40 km/h gusts, according to Environment Canada. Gusts of up to 70 km/h were in the forecast for the night.