Photo: Contributed

Anarchist Mountain fire crews stopped a truck fire from spreading Monday afternoon.

When a one-ton pickup truck caught fire on Highway 3 on Anarchist Mountain in Osoyoos Monday, crews had to rush to stop the blaze before it spread into nearby foliage. 

Deputy fire chief Wayne Jasper said Anarchist Mountain Volunteer Fire Department crews headed to the scene about halfway up the mountain at 4:30 p.m.

The truck had caught fire and while everyone inside got out safely, the vehicle was still fully engulfed by the side of the road. 

"The fire melted the plastic gas tank," Jasper said, adding that the tank had just recently been filled so there was plenty of fuel. "It was like a river of fire across the highway."

Eighteen fire crew members sprang into action. From its location pulled to the side of the road, the truck had also caught some sagebrush on fire, sparking concerns about a potential out-of-control blaze. 

Luckily, conditions were in their favour. 

"If the wind was going a different direction, it could have been ugly," Jasper said. 

Crews had the area mopped up in about an hour, with the assistance of the Osoyoos Fire Department.