Members of the Windermere Fire Department responded to a grass fire south of Windermere this afternoon.

“A private property owner was burning grass and it got away on them,” said Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Chief Drew Sinclair.  “When we arrived on scene, the fire had moved into a stacked wood pile and our firefighters did a good job of containing it quickly and preventing what could have been a much more serious situation.”

A total of eight firefighters and three pieces of apparatus responded to the small fire, which has now been fully extinguished.

“This is a good reminder for everyone about the importance of ensuring the burning conditions are safe and taking steps to be prepared every time you burn outdoors. This includes having a water source, shovel or tools, burning when it’s not windy and staying on site monitoring the fire until it is completely out,” said Sinclair.

While many residents think about the danger of burning during the heat of the summer, caution is needed throughout the next few months. This time of year is known as the ‘spring dip’ where the dead, dry fuels from last season pose a fire risk due to their low moisture content and the lush, moisture-rich new vegetation has not yet started to grow.

“Never underestimate spring burning conditions. Fires like these are preventable and it is critical that residents ensure they are fully prepared and that conditions are safe if they are planning any outdoor burning,” added Sinclair.

The BC Wildfire Services website has more information on open burning with tips and downloadable pamphlets to help residents be prepared before they burn on www.bcwildfire.ca.

Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue

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