Image Credit: Blackpool Fire Rescue
Interface Fire

Blackpool Fire Rescue snuff out ‘deliberate’ interface fire along Highway 5

Jun 27, 2025 | 2:57 PM

BLACKPOOL, B.C. — Blackpool Fire Rescue says its crews were called to an interface fire in a ditch along Highway 5 in the North Thompson that they say appears to have been deliberately lit.

In a statement, Blackpool Fire Rescue says its crews responded to the fire near OnCall Service and North Thompson River Provincial Park, which is about 5 km south of the District of Clearwater, around 1:48 p.m. Thursday (June 26) afternoon.

“Witnesses saw [someone in] a silver and brown 2003-2005 Chevrolet crew cab pick up that was travelling north on Highway 5 throw a burning object out of the truck cab into the east ditch ignited the grass,” the statement from Blackpool Fire Rescue said.

They note that those witnesses pulled over and asked someone inside the office at On Call Services to call 911.

“On Call Services jumped into action and [brought] a large water tender to the scene and started spraying water on the fire, which grew to about 30 square metres in size,” the statement added.

“They assisted responding Blackpool Fire Crews to quickly contain and extinguish the fire.”

Blackpool Fire Rescue said video footage of the truck in question was sent to the RCMP. They also note that the BC Wildfire Service and Natural Resource Officers are investigating this incident.

“Had this happened a week earlier before the rain the outcome could have been much more serious,” the statement added.

“A deliberate act of throwing burning materials into a ditch to cause a wildfire is a criminal act of arson and puts our community at risk.”

According to Blackpool Fire Rescue, people who saw the pick up truck in question or those with video or information about it are being asked to call the RCMP and reference file 2025-667.

Image Credit: Blackpool Fire Rescue