Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Jill Sperling

B.C. Wildfire

B.C. Wildfire crews hope for better weather as fire near Savona grows to 100 ha

Jun 5, 2019 | 8:10 PM

SAVONA, B.C. — Air tankers could be seen dropping fire retardant as the BC Wildfire Service attempted to contain the fast-moving Sabiston Creek fire west of Savona Wednesday evening (June 5).

“The fire is currently burning out of control just in flashy kind of grass and sagebrush fuels,” said Fire Information Officer Taylor MacDonald. “We have some strong and gusty winds on site so crews are having some troubles with those.”

The fire popped up Wednesday afternoon and quickly grew to 40 hectares in the dry grasses, burning on both sides of the Trans Canada Highway.

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“We have 12 BCWS crew on site right now, and the local fire department is also on site,” MacDonald told CFJC Today.

By early evening, the fire had expanded to 100 hectares and skimmers joined the fire fight.

Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service

While crews attacked the flames by ground and air, traffic was at a standstill.

The highway was closed in both directions, but reopened around 7:00 p.m., according to DriveBC.

The BC Wildfire Service plans to remain on scene overnight.

“Hopefully they’ll have some success later tonight with some cloudy skies and some cooler temperatures,” MacDonald said.

The fire is believed to have been human caused.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds