It was a burn pile started by a property owner in the Chilliwack River Valley on Sunday afternoon that got out of control and spread to a nearby hillside.
Chilliwack Fire Department crews were dispatched to assist the Chilliwack River Valley Fire Department for a reported ‘wildland interface’ fire in the 4000-block of Hood Road at about 4:15 p.m.
“Property owner was cleaning his property and burning brush next to a forested hillside. The fire from the brush pile got away from the property owner and quickly extended up the hill,” said assistant fire chief Mike Bourdon.
City of Chilliwack Firefighters responded from Halls 1 and 4 along with B.C. Wildfire Service.
Upon arrival Chilliwack River Valley firefighters started “aggressively attacking the fire” on a steep hillside in a heavily wooded area. They managed to knock it down before it spread to the top of the hill.
Hot spots on the hill were quickly extinguished by firefighters from CRV, City of Chilliwack and a BCWFS attack crew. BCWFS later confirmed that the fire was fully extinguished. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. The cause of the fire is accidental.
The Chilliwack Fire Department would like to urge property owners to check with their local fire department, municipality or regional district websites for restrictions before starting an open-air fire.
“Just a reminder, on March 25th, 2020 by order of the Fire Chief, City of Chilliwack Council made the decision to terminate the 2020 spring burning season,” said Bourdon.
Chilliwack’s ban on open air burning extends until the end of the spring burning season.
“The Province of B.C. (Ministry of Environment) has also issued a burning ban until Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 for the entire Chilliwack region.
These restrictions are directly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect pollutants have on viral respiratory infections.
For the most up to date information on the provincial burning ban or any other related restrictions:http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions
READ MORE: Post Creek fire kills retiree in CRV
READ MORE: Fire departments form wildfire strike teams
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
@CHWKjourno
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.