Savona Dump Fire (Image Credit: Contributed / Karen Lachance)

By James Peters

Savona Wildfire

Provincial crews watch Savona fire, contemplate burning ban for Kamloops Fire Centre

May 9, 2019 | 11:43 AM

SAVONA, B.C. — Provincial wildfire crews have returned to the site of a grassfire near Savona Thursday. The human-caused fire was ignited yesterday near the Savona dump. Fire Information Officer Jody Lucius says it grew to about 2.5 hectares in dry grass.

“Crews were out yesterday to make good progress on that fire. They have returned today to do a little bit of patrol and cool any hot spots that might be remaining on that fire,” said Lucius. “The good news is we are not expecting any further growth on it.”

WATCH: Savona Dump Fire (Video Credit: Contributed / Karen Lachance)

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Lucius notes it is not unusual to see fire activity in the early part of the season, before the month of June. The forecast calls for sunshine and unseasonably hot temperatures into the weekend.

“We’re definitely in that period when green-up is happening and that might help lower some of the fire activity,” said Lucius. “But at the same time, with the hot and dry conditions we’re expecting over the next few days, certainly we’re anticipating that could result in some fires.”

“We are definitely seeing that fire danger rating creep up a little bit into the ‘high’ area within the Kamloops Fire Centre in certain areas. The Fraser Canyon, in particular, is seeing some warmer temperatures.”

The Cariboo Fire Centre is enacting a Category Two burning ban starting Friday. Lucius says the same ban may follow for the Kamloops area if this weather pattern persists.

“There certainly is some discussion around whether or not that is something that is required within the Kamloops Fire Centre. But there is nothing in place right now and I don’t have indication that it might come in the next few days. It’s certainly something we’re keeping an eye on,” said Lucius.

“We are asking members of the public to be extra cautious with fire if they are out this weekend camping. Or, if they’re using off-road vehicles and that type of thing, to make sure that there is no hot grass underneath those vehicles that could potentially result in a fire.”