“We’ve got through a ravine here leading up to the top plateau and it’s a fairly large interface fire that’s burning,” Uzeloc said just after 5:00 p.m. Saturday (May 24).
“We had contained the fire from reaching over the top but water supply is a challenge. We’re shuttling water in and by the time we get it going, we’re out so we’re hooking up a relay pumping system from Home Depot so we can have a continuous supply.”
In a subsequent update at 6:20 p.m., Uzeloc said crews were making good progress after they set up that steady supply of water. While the fire is still smoking at this time, it appears to have died down quite substantially.
“We have guards in place,” Uzeloc added, noting its too early to say what caused the fire. “We’ve been busy trying to get it contained and get the guards in place and establish the water supply.”
“We haven’t got in to have a look yet so I can’t confirm a cause at this time.”
The BC Wildfire Service says the fire is suspected to be human caused, which is the umbrella term used to describe all wildfires that aren’t started by lightning.
People are being asked to avoid parts of Kenna Cartwright Park where crews are working for the foreseeable future.
“We’re asking people to stay away from the trail near the Home Depot in particular and then the ones adjacent up top on the plateau and to be cautious that there is a fire here,” Uzeloc said, noting the City will let people know when its safe to return to the area.
This is a developing story, and more information will be provided once it’s available.