Firefighters extinguish a grass fire in Beaver Creek on Vancouver Island on March 18, 2019. (Fire Chief Charlie Starratt/Submitted)
The BC Wildfire Service helped local firefighters extinguish a grass fire in Beaver Creek on Monday during one of its first calls of the year.
Beaver Creek Fire Chief Charlie Starratt said the fire was reported at 3:43 p.m. March 19 in the 7800-block of Beaver Creek Road. A neighbour saw an open burn getting out of control in an adjacent property and called 911.
The Beaver Creek Fire Department responded with mutual aid from Cherry Creek and Sproat Lake. A BC Wildfire Service helicopter operated by the Port Alberni Thunderbirds dropped water on the fire six times, Starratt said. He added that it was one of the wildfire service’s first calls in 2019.
Starratt said the fire spread to five acres in the breezy and dry conditions. It was fully extinguished by 7:30 p.m. There were no injuries and there were no structures damaged. However, grass and a few trees were burned.
“The fire spread so fast, you couldn’t keep up with it,” Starratt said.
There are no fire bans or restrictions in place as of March 19, 2019. Starratt said he hasn’t heard when any bans and restrictions will be issued but he expects some will be announced soon. In the meantime, he is asking anyone who is conducting an open burn to be very cautious.
Firefighters extinguish a grass fire in Beaver Creek on Vancouver Island on March 18, 2019. (Fire Chief Charlie Starratt/Submitted)
Firefighters extinguish a grass fire in Beaver Creek on Vancouver Island on March 18, 2019. (Fire Chief Charlie Starratt/Submitted)
Firefighters extinguish a grass fire in Beaver Creek on Vancouver Island on March 18, 2019. (Fire Chief Charlie Starratt/Submitted)
Alexa Huffman
