Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling
B.C. Wildfire

Calmer Thursday has firefighters gaining the upper hand on Savona-area wildfire

Jun 6, 2019 | 11:22 AM

SAVONA, B.C. — The site of a grass fire that took off west of Savona late yesterday afternoon is much calmer today (June 6).

B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) personnel hit the 100-hectare Sabiston Creek fire with retardant dropped from tankers Wednesday, with local firefighters pitching in on the ground.

Fire Information Officer Marla Catherall says that effort, combined with much calmer winds, resulted in the chance to advance toward containment today.

“The wildfire responded really well to suppression efforts. We do have 33 personnel on site today and they are putting a hand guard on the east flank,” said Catherall.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

The fire is considered human-caused, but Catherall says BCWS does not have a specific cause identified yet. She expects an investigation will be launched once the fire has subsided.

Catherall notes firefighters are optimistic today will not bring the same wind conditions that caused the fire to take off Wednesday.

“Luckily, today we aren’t expecting to have the same gusts that we did see yesterday. Temperatures will be around the same, so it is a little bit cooler than last week. Hopefully, with less wind today we will see even more progress,” said Catherall.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling