By Adam Donnelly

Kamloops Fire Rescue reminds beachgoers to be fire safe after weekend blaze

Jan 28, 2019 | 4:06 PM

KAMLOOPS — Fire crews were kept busy this weekend with a fire out near Tranquille on the Lake that proved difficult for them to access.

The fire was reported around 5:00 p.m. yesterday (Jan. 27) past the site of the former sanitarium. When Kamloops Fire Rescue arrived they found their access was limited due to locked gates, so they were forced to contact the property owner. Platoon Capt. Dave Ferguson says even once they got the gates open, accessing the fire proved difficult.

“They had trouble accessing the location due to a washed out bridge, so they had to carry their equipment in,” Ferguson explained. “We have pumps that we can [use to] pump out of the lake, but due to the high waves they were ineffective and couldn’t be used, so water was an issue for us.”

The fire burned a significant amount of driftwood that accumulated on the shore of the lake, thanks to the high winds spreading the flames quickly. Ferguson says it’s before anyone heads out to enjoy the natural areas of our community, they should be aware of what they can and can’t do while there.

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“There are no fires allowed within the city limits and [Cooney Bay] is within city limits,” Ferguson said. “People think they can have fires on the beach because it’s a long ways away from everything… the [driftwood] that’s blown in over winter is extremely dry, so it just takes a spark to light a tree on fire… one spark blows in there and we’re there all night fighting it.”