Langford firefighters put out one of the first brush fires of the season on Saturday as temperatures and wind continue to create forest fire conditions.
Some people setting up a tent at the All Fun RV park, in the area behind the overflow parking, heard crackling and saw a fire spreading on a sloped area.
Langford deputy fire chief Kerry Zado happened to be in the area for a fundraiser and arrived immediately. While waiting for the trucks to arrive Zado said he watched the fire grow from a three-by-three meter patch to a 15-by-15 meter patch in a matter of minutes.
Firefighters fought the blaze for two hours to completely extinguish it. At its peak the fire measured about 21 metres by 40 metres and was heading towards wooded areas at the back of the slope.
A quick response saved this situation from being much worse, Zado said.
“The potential was certainly there,” Zado said. “If the people didn’t call us right away we would have had a lot worse fire.”
The episode serves as a reminder that foliage is drying out and conditions are getting worse for forest and brush fires. While the hot weather has been late this summer, Zado said it’s been especially breezy, which also contributes to dry conditions.
“We ask everybody to be very careful, dispose of their cigarettes properly,” Zado said about the common fire starter. “Use your ashtray, don’t toss them out the window.”
Anyone who sees, hears or smells fire should call 911 or Forest Service BC toll free at 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular phones.
kwells@goldstreamgazette.com
