Firefighters’ wildfire mop-up efforts halted after UXO discovered near Vernon

A firefighter made an unexpected discovery while mopping up a wildfire near Vernon on Sunday; an unexploded ordnance, also referred to as a UXO, was found near Predator Ridge.

The finding has city officials putting out a warning to residents and the general public.

“There is potential for other UXOs surrounding Vernon, including the Commonage area, an Okanagan Indian Band reserve land, Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and other rural areas,” the city said in a news release.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There is potential for other UXOs surrounding Vernon, including the Commonage area, an Okanagan Indian Band reserve land, Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and other rural areas," the city said in a news release.

WATCH BELOW: Okanagan Indian Band pushes for action on UXO

3:06 Okanagan Indian Band pushes for action on UXO

The device was found by a member of the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch during mop-up efforts on the Kokanee Road blaze. Personnel were pulled back to the staging area after the discovery.

“RCMP were called to the site to map the coordinates,” the city said in the release.

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“The Department of National Defense was also notified, and a UXO recovery team has been assembled.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The Department of National Defense was also notified, and a UXO recovery team has been assembled."

Nearby residents have been asked to stay away from the area, which has been cordoned off.

Officials urge anyone who discovers a UXO to leave the vicinity right away and call 911.