Cooney Bay Fire (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

Interface Fires

Kamloops Fire Rescue says early season interface fires becoming more common

Mar 23, 2026 | 4:19 PM

KAMLOOPS —Three interface fires all sparked in short order Friday (March 20) evening, stretching thin responding Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) crews and potentially marking another early start of wildfire season.

“I’d like say it’s uncommon but it’s, unfortunately, turning into a trend that we are seeing not only here but all over the province,” said KFR Deputy Chief Ryan Cail Monday. 

The three fires burned at the top of 13th Avenue in Sagebrush, just up from Highway 1 in Sahali near the Cityview Shopping Centre and Cooney Bay on Kamloops Lake. 

Record-breaking temperatures on back to back days and high winds created a perfect recipe for fires.

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“It most certainly created a volatile situation,” said Cail. “It doesn’t take long with the indices right now for a small fire to get out of control and turn into something quite significant for sure.”

Kamloops fire investigators believe the Cooney Bay fire was a campfire that got out of control. Campfires are banned anywhere within municipal boundaries.

“It’s a great opportunity to remind folks, get out and enjoy the outdoors, but be mindful that is still within the municipal boundary. The fuels are so dry, it doesn’t take much for a fire to spread and then threaten structures and critical infrastructure in the area,” added Cail. 

KFR was forced to respond to all three fires in short order, stressing capacity for the department. KFR did receive significant assistance from the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) to tackle the blazes. 

“Just be mindful, just remind everybody that it dry out there, the fuels are dry, it’s just starting to green up. So we are going to see these valley bottom fires if people aren’t mindful,” said Cail. 

The BCWS has the Kamloops fire rating listed as low.