Smoke from the grassfire near Hillside Drive in Kamloops on May 24, 2025. (Image Credit: Aaron Schulze)

By Victor Kaisar

Grassfire in Kamloops

UPDATE: Grassfire near Home Depot in Kamloops being held at 1.1 hectares

May 24, 2025 | 3:47 PM

KAMLOOPS — (UPDATE 6:40 p.m.): A grassfire near the Reservoir Trail at Kenna Cartwright Park is currently being held at 1.1 hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

That means the fire is not expected to spread beyond its predetermined boundaries under current conditions.

Earlier in the day, Kamloops Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc told CFJC Today that there were about a dozen firefighters from four stations who responded with engines, tenders, and bush trucks, along with two BC Wildfire Service initial attack crews.

“We’ve got through a ravine here leading up to the top plateau and it’s a fairly large interface fire that’s burning,” Uzeloc said just after 5:00 p.m. Saturday (May 24).

Stay Ahead of the Curve with Kamloops' Trusted Property Manager - Rohit Kumar

May 20, 2025

Question of the Week

Do you believe the G7 summit in Alberta will help forge a smoother relationship between Canada and the U.S.?

8h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: NIPD - A Path Toward Healing

11h ago

“We had contained the fire from reaching over the top but water supply is a challenge. We’re shuttling water in and by the time we get it going, we’re out so we’re hooking up a relay pumping system from Home Depot so we can have a continuous supply.”

In a subsequent update at 6:20 p.m., Uzeloc said crews were making good progress after they set up that steady supply of water. While the fire is still smoking at this time, it appears to have died down quite substantially.

“We have guards in place,” Uzeloc added, noting its too early to say what caused the fire. “We’ve been busy trying to get it contained and get the guards in place and establish the water supply.”

“We haven’t got in to have a look yet so I can’t confirm a cause at this time.”

The BC Wildfire Service says the fire is suspected to be human caused, which is the umbrella term used to describe all wildfires that aren’t started by lightning.

People are being asked to avoid parts of Kenna Cartwright Park where crews are working for the foreseeable future.

“We’re asking people to stay away from the trail near the Home Depot in particular and then the ones adjacent up top on the plateau and to be cautious that there is a fire here,” Uzeloc said, noting the City will let people know when its safe to return to the area.

Smoke visible from Hillside Stadium where BC Lions FanFest is underway. (Image Credit: Aaron Schulze/CFJCToday)

Smoke visible from the parking lot at Home Depot. (Image Credit: James Peters/CFJC Today)

BC Wildfire crews on scene at the grassfire on May 24, 2025. (Image Credit: Aaron Schulze/CFJC Today)

This is a developing story, and more information will be provided once it’s available.