Firefighters with the Port Alberni Fire Department snuffed out their first wildfire of the year yesterday evening.
According to the Port Alberni Fire Department, crews responded to a wildfire on the Scott Kenny Trail at approximately 5 p.m. on April 11.
Mike Owens, the department’s fire chief, told CHEK News the fire grew quickly at first but crews were able to “knock it down” by 5:40 p.m.
“The fire quickly grew to 150 feet by 50 feet,” he said. “But thanks to the quick action by both the caller and the duty crew, we were able to contain it.”
The fire was fully extinguished less than two hours later, said Owens, adding that it was the department’s first wildfire of the year.
There have been four other wildfires on Vancouver Island so far this year according to BC Wildfire Service.
With warmer weather on the horizon and more people stuck at home because of the coronavirus pandemic, Owens said the department expects and encourages residents to go outside, but also has some concerns.
“We expect and encourage our residents to get outside, of course practising physical distancing, but with that comes the increased danger of things like wildfires,” he said, adding. “What we are concerned about is with that increased general recreational activity, if people are not doing it responsibly, then we don’t want to have to step in and take steps to restrict access to public green spaces.”
Owen said the department would really like to avoid a situation where they find themselves not only dealing with a pandemic but a large wildfire at the same time and just want people to be safe when they go outside.
“You can get out and enjoy the outdoors, but do so safely,” he said.
PAFD working to contain a wildfire off Scott Kenny Trail. Please avoid the area. #bcwildfire #portalberni pic.twitter.com/IuKdSFrDkp
— Port Alberni Fire (@portalbernifire) April 12, 2020
Nicholas Pescod
