Langley Township firefighters fought a stubborn grass fire adjacent to Aldergrove Athletic Park on Monday evening.
The fire department was called to the site near 26A Avenue and 268 Street at 5:37 p.m. Assistant chief Pat Walker said the grass on the property was burning, and eventually about one and one-half acres was consumed.
Firefighters were fortunate that the wind was not strong, and they had access to a hydrant near the Kinsmen Community Centre. Nonetheless, it was a difficult fire to fight. Hall 3 full-time firefighters were the first responders, and they were backed up by paid call firefighters from halls 3 and 7.
Walker said the firefighters encountered some steep terrain and formed a ring around the fire to prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties.
The cause is not known, he said.
Walker said the grass fire could have been much worse, and illustrates why the Township is delaying the start of the burning season, which normally funds from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31. He said burning will remain closed until further notice, and added there needs to be more moisture in the ground for it to be safe to do outdoor burning.
He said the burning season can be extended into November to make up for the lost time in September.
