Eight days after firefighters extinguished a grass fire south of Windermere, the Fairmont Hot Springs Fire Department responded to another grass fire call this afternoon.

“A private property owner was burning a slash pile and it got away on them and into the dry grass,” said Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Jon Tames. “We were fortunate today with the prevailing winds that the fire burned up to the highway, which created a natural barrier and gave us time to get it contained and fully extinguished. This is another example where we had a good result from what could have been a much more serious situation.”

A total of five firefighters and two pieces of apparatus responded to the fire.

“This is yet another example of why it is important to ensure you have proper equipment, conditions and tools ready and with you before burning.  A rake, as was the case today, is not sufficient when burning.  In addition to a shovel and other tools, you must have a water source,” stressed Tames.

“Another important piece of planning prior to doing outdoor burning is checking the weather conditions to ensure you are not burning during windy conditions, and then remain on site until the fire has been fully extinguished.”

This time of year is known as the ‘spring dip’ where the dead, dry fuels from last season pose a fire risk due to their low moisture content and the lush, moisture-rich new vegetation has not yet started to grow.

“Prevention and proper planning are key.  Fires can get away suddenly and unpredictably, so it is absolutely critical that residents ensure they are fully prepared and that conditions are safe prior to lighting a fire,” added Tames.

Additional information and resources are available on the BC Wildfire Service website on www.bcwildfire.ca.

Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue photo

RDEK

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