With many other fires burning in the Peace Region, locally, the Tumbler Ridge Fire Department responded to their first brush fire of the season at approximately 5:30pm on April 30. The TRFD was alerted to an out of control brush fire burning behind a home on the upper bench. Upon arrival, fire crews found multiple persons including the occupants of the home and area neighbours already attempting to extinguish the fire.
Once a water supply was established, firefighters quickly brought the fire under control using multiple hand lines and deploying a truck mounted master stream device at the main body of the fire.
While this fire was contained with relative ease, it should serve as a reminder to residents that the combined hotter than usual temperatures and lack of precipitation and snow pack over the winter makes for ideal wildfire conditions.
While the cause of this fire is still under investigation, initial findings at the time of the incident indicate that loose debris from a small campfire pit at the rear of the property escaped the containment of the pit and ignited a nearby stack of firewood and the grass adjacent to it. Ironically, the campfire had been used earlier in the day to burn the material collected from a backyard clean up including dead grass, branches, etc. Once the grass was ablaze, the fire quickly spread to other fuel sources in the greenspace behind the home.
The result of this fire could have been radically different if it was not for the efforts made by the occupants and neighbours prior to the fire departments arrival. Most importantly, they called 911 early and quickly before things got too out of control.
While campfires are still permitted within the District of Tumbler Ridge, residents are reminded that regulations regarding backyard burning can be found in the municipalities Fire Protection Bylaw. Fire pits must be non-combustible, dug down to mineral soil and must be 3m (10ft) from combustibles such as woodpiles, buildings or trees. A means of extinguishment such as a garden hose or shovel must be easily accessible and fires must always be under adult supervision. Never have a backyard campfire on a windy day.
A full list of backyard burning requirements can be found the District’s website at www.districtoftumblerridge.ca or by calling the Fire Hall at (250) 242-3939.
At the time of this article, there are over 25 fires burning in the Peace River Region alone with nearly 90 percent of them being person caused in origin. There are three wildfires of note that have resulted in sudden evacuation alerts and orders in various areas due to the risk to public safety. Please, do your part and burn your campfire with everyone’s safety in mind, and don’t wait until it’s too late to call 911 to report a fire.
The BC Wildfire Service has issued a category 2 fire burning prohibition for the Peace Region including the District of Tumbler Ridge and surrounding area. The following activities and use of the following equipment, materials and substances are prohibited:
- Open fires larger than .5m in size
- Fireworks
- Sky Lanterns
- Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
- Binary exploding targets
- Air Curtain Burners
This prohibition has been implemented to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety due to the high grass fire hazard and increased incidence of human-caused wildfires associated with Category 2 burning.
This prohibition order does not apply to campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller), cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or registered Category 3 burns.
Questions? Contact the Fire Hall at (250) 242-3939. Or, if you see a fire, call 911.
