Two sets of sirens wailed in response to fires on Easter Monday last week. The first alarm was raised around 1:40 p.m. for a fire burning wood on Kangaroo Trail in Crescent Bay that had spread to dry grass and had started to consume a pile of lumber and some plastic.
Nakusp Fire Chief Terry Warren said the smoke from the lit plastic was thick and dark, but fire fighters were able to get the blaze under control.
After returning the trucks back to the bay with everything ready to go for the next fire, another call came in, this time for a grass fire on Brouse Loop Road that had spread into trees and could have threatened a house.
Trucks and fire fighters were on the road again shortly after 4 p.m. battling flames that had started eating brush along the edge of the property.
“It was candling up a pine tree,” Warren told the Arrow Lakes News. “It was pretty scary for a while.”
Fortunately, again, the fire was brought under control. The smoke, firetrucks and flashing lights drew the attention of weekend drivers passing by who slowed to see what was happening. Fortunately, the fire was doused and out fairly quickly.
“We were glad they called us when they did,” said the Nakusp Fire Chief, “or it could have gotten really ugly.”
A wind had picked up and whipped up the fire, spreading it further afield into the trees along the edge of the property. Luckily, what didn’t happen was a house fire, one possibility that could occur if fires are left unattended.
If fires lit intentionally to get rid of the dead top layer of grass or old wood lying around spread and damage or destroy property, the person who lit the fire is responsible, Warren cautioned. Under the Wildfire Act in B.C., individuals who light a fire can be held legally responsible for the costs of putting a fire out and any damages caused to forest or grassland even if it is lit within one kilometre of the area it affects.
The Southeast Fire Centre recently sent out a bulletin asking the public to be cautious during outdoor burning. They recommended ensuring enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire. Also, don’t burn during windy conditions; even a small breeze can carry embers or quickly spread a fire, reminded the bulletin. Another safety tip was to create a fireguard, and make smaller burns around the perimeter of a larger fire to stop fire from spreading. And the oldest caution in the book: never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it is fully extinguished before leaving.
“Please look after the fire,” urged Warren. “You can’t leave it unattended.”
