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Three grassfires in past 24 hours in region
RDEK rural fire services reminds residents to take proper precautions when spring burning
The Regional District of East Kootenay’s (RDEK) rural fire services are urging residents across the region to be prepared and to be safe when it comes to spring burning.
This comes after three separate fires across the region within the past 24 hours. “Members of the Edgewater Fire Department responded yesterday afternoon after strong winds caused a small grassfire to quickly spread,” explained Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Chief Drew Sinclair.
“Fortunately, our crews were able to quickly contain the fire, but this could have been a much more serious situation.”
A few hours later, a separate fire on private property got away in the Brisco area. As it was outside of a fire protection service area, RCMP responded and the BC Wildfire Service was notified.
This morning, six members of the Jaffray and Baynes Lake Fire Departments responded to a grassfire in the Baynes Lake area.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring you have proper equipment, conditions and tools ready and with you before burning. In addition to a shovel and other tools, you must have a water source,” stressed Sinclair.
“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.”
We are just entering the time of year known as the ‘spring dip’ where snow has melted and temperatures start to warm. During this transition, the dead, dry fuels from last season pose a fire risk due to their low moisture content when 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 to ensure they are fully prepared and that conditions are safe prior to lighting a fire,” added Sinclair.
Additional information and resources are available on the BC Wildfire Service website on www.bcwildfire.ca.
Lead image: Members of the Edgewater Fire Department to a small grassfire Monday afternoon. Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue photo
