Crews battle 15th suspicious wildfire in same area of Nanaimo
Forest service firefighters hack out a fire break to slow the progress of flames burning through grass and moss on the Harewood Plains above the Nanaimo Parkway two weeks ago. Crews have been called to 15 suspicious wildfires in the same area so far this year, including the latest on Canada Day.
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Updated: July 03, 2009 10:39 AM
Forestry service fire crews battled another suspicious blaze off Nanaimo Lakes Road Wednesday evening, bringing the total number of human-caused fires in the area to 15 this year.
Tim Neal, fire information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre, said the blaze was on a gravel road near Nanaimo Lakes and South Forks roads and was discovered at about 11:30 p.m.
“We sent out a 20-man unit crew,” he said. “They actually fought the fire all night. It was only a quarter of a hectare, but it did go to Rank 3.”
Rank 3 (of 6) is a fire that shows open flame and is mobile.
“It is a fairly dangerous operation to be working at night on a fire, so it’s putting our crews at risk,” said Neal.
The overnight crew was joined by nine more firefighters in the morning, who finished putting out the blaze, and then the scene was turned over to landowner Island Timberlands.
Island Timberlands has ramped up its patrols and kept its own fire crew on standby for the past several months.
Last summer, the forestry service snuffed out 38 suspicious wildfires in the same area. They normally expect to attend about five or six per year.
The fire centre issued a call for help last week, urging the public to report suspicious activities related to setting wildfires.
Individuals charged with arson could face up to 14 years in jail and under the Wildfire Act, a contravention could include a fine up to $1 million and three years in jail.
To report suspicious activities or a fire, please call 1-800-663-5555, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
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