Buse Creek wildfire, May 13 (Image Credit: Twitter / Rick Niles)

By Shelby Thom - Global Okanagan

Buse Creek Fire

CN train investigated as potential cause of Kamloops-area wildfire

May 13, 2019 | 2:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — A 19-hectare wildfire burning east of Kamloops, B.C. may have been caused by a passing CN train.

Witnesses tell Global News three areas near the train tracks started smoking about 50 yards apart after a train rolled by. About twenty minutes later, flames emerged.

The B.C. Wildfire Service said 18 ground personnel were battling the fire on Monday, which is south of Hook Road and east of the Barnhartvale area of Kamloops.

Jonathan Abecassis with the Canadian National Railway (CN) says crews are co-operating with provincial officials investigating the grass fire.

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“Our thoughts are with the communities affected by this fire. As per our standard procedure after a fire has occurred near CN tracks, we are inspecting the track for damage and patrolling for hot spots,” he said in an email.

Abecassis said the train travelled through the area two hours before the fire was reported.

The train in question is undergoing a full inspection for mechanical issues and the crew is being interviewed.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire is believed to be human-caused but it has not confirmed the train as the potential source.

“We will look at all of the potential causes,” Fire Information Officer Jody Lucius said, “and we will rule out anything that is not possible and then look to narrow it down and find a specific cause.”

The fire quickly grew given the hot and dry conditions, but the weather cooled off overnight and by Monday morning it was considered “being held.”

The wildfire did not threaten homes and no evacuation orders were issued.