CP Rail will co-operate with any investigation into a brushfire east of Kamloops, a spokesman said Tuesday.

But Kevin Hrysak said it's too early to speculate on the cause of the fire that started about 10:30 a.m. on the hillside above Dallas Road just past city limits and before the turnoff to Hook Road.

Spectators on the scene said the fire began after a train passed by, but crews were still investigating the cause Tuesday evening and could not confirm if sparks from a train were responsible.

Even so, fire officials said the blaze could have been much worse.

Low winds, cool morning air and a fast response from fire crews combined to stop the fire from becoming out of control.

It came within 100 metres of a nearby house before fire crews were able to stop its progression.

“We’re really lucky,” said Kamloops Fire Centre spokesperson Michaela Swan.

“We have the air tanker based right in Kamloops so there was a very quick response.

Air tankers, helicopters and a spot plane were dispatched to the scene along with Kamloops Fire and Rescue crews, who responded initially.

The tankers dropped retardant and were able to contain the flames to within 2.4 hectares as ground crews worked to establish a hand guard.

By 1:30 p.m., they had the fire 70 per cent contained and 5 p.m., it was fully contained.

“What’s really difficult with these fires is we’re in a high-to-extreme fire danger rating in 87 per cent of our fire centre, so the fuels are highly volatile,” said Swan.

“This fire was burning in the grass and sagebrush as well as into some of the pine beetle deadwood.”