By Chad Klassen

VIDEO: Firefighters suppress grassfire that came 40 feet from homes

Mar 21, 2018 | 9:44 PM

KAMLOOPS — Three residences along Mohawk Cresent on the Tk’emlups got a scare on Wednesday, as flames from a grassfire on the reserve came as close as 40 feet, stopping at their fencelines thanks to the help of Kamloops Fire Rescue. 

“The fire did burn right up to the back of these three residences right here,” said captain Norm Little from KFR. “Then carried on down the other side of the access road.”

WATCH: Kamloops Fire Rescue watching for hot spots

There are still no exact cause of how the fire started, but KFR personnel was called to the scene near the North Thompson River late Wednesday afternoon after the grassfire broke out. 

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“We were called here by RCMP, who noticed a large amount of smoke coming from this area,” said Little. “When we arrived, we found a large working grassfire. We extinguished it with eight men and two bush trucks and an engine.”

Despite winter only melting away recently in the valley bottoms, Little noted this kind of fire is not unusual at this time of year. 

“It’s been pretty consistent the last five or so years that we get grassfires at this time of yera, so people need to be aware that the ground is dry enough,” he said. “As soon as the snow’s gone, it’s dry enough to burn. There’s enough fuel.”

The firefighters remained on scene overnight Wednesday and will be back Thursday, along with fire investigators looking into what caused the fire.