Fireworks lit up the land as well as the sky in this year’s fireworks display in Chase.
A couple of small spot fires were easily doused by members of the Chase Volunteer Fire Department, but one larger one took hold in an inaccessible area and required assistance from Ministry of Forest fire crews.
“We had fireworks as we do every year,” said Village of Chase chief administrative officer Joni Heinrich. “There were a couple of spot fires up in the area closer to where the fireworks were being let off and we had to stop the show halfway through to handle them.”
The fireworks were shot out over Shuswap Lake from the Mattey Bros. lumber yard at the top of the hill on the Trans-Canada Hwy. east of Chase.
Heinrich says Chase firefighters had foamed down the area prior to the show and had plenty of water on scene.
The volunteer firefighters also did a sweep of the area at the conclusion of the fireworks display at approximately 11:15 p.m. That is when they discovered a fire that had started low down on the hillside in an area they were unable to reach.
“We had to stop the trains and the Ministry of Forests came in,” said Heinrich, pointing out firefighters remained on scene to make sure the .5 hectare fire was contained. “We’re really appreciative of their service.”
Kayla Pepper, fire information officer with the Kamloops Fire Centre, says MOF fire crews were on scene until early Wednesday morning.
Pepper says caution is called for as the forests heat up with continuing hot, dry weather. Anyone who spots smoke or fame is asked to call it in to 1-800–663-5555 or *5555 toll free on most cell phones.
Alternatively, call 911.
