The Victoria Fire Department is reminding community members to be cautious this summer after firefighters were called to a large beach fire along Dallas Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Victoria Fire Acting Battalion Chief Brent Hoeppner says firefighters were called to the scene near Finlayson Point Beach around 1:30 a.m.
When firefighters arrived, they spotted “what was a very large fire that was rolling up the whole embankment on Dallas and up into the park area,” said Hoeppner.
Two engine companies, a rescue truck and a battalion chief responded to the blaze and extinguished the flames, which had spread approximately 24 to 30 square metres, or 80 to 100 feet.
Since the fire had spread across the steep embankment, Hoeppner says it was difficult to reach all areas of fire.
“Beach fires do present their own risks to us, as well as responding,” he said. “It’s pitch black, very steep terrain and at times it can be very difficult for us to get to to extinguish.”
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The fire site is pictured on Sunday morning.
While the exact cause of the fire is unknown, Hopenner says the source is likely human-related since there were no lightning strikes in the area.
“These are caused – either accidentally or negligently – on our part as citizens of the city,” he said, adding that the fire department has responded to six fires on beaches, parks, or grassland areas of the city within the past 48 hours.
“It’s just a reminder right now for people that things are very dry,” he said.
“There’s a fire ban on right now across the province and it’s our job and our responsibility to be vigilant in making sure that we’re not exposing others to unsafe conditions with fires.”
Cigarette butts should always be disposed of safely and everyone should be cautious with any open flame device, says Hoeppner.
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Adam Chan
