Downed power line sparks grass fire in Campbell Creek

Apr 9, 2018 | 4:44 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Fire Rescue personnel were able to keep a grass fire in the Campbell Creek area from spreading too far this afternoon.

Platoon Captain Rob Chalmers says the crews were called to Wittner Road near the Lafarge Bridge at about 1:15 p.m.

“Our crews found a grass fire around one hectare in size. It looks as if a hydro line broke, came down and arced and started the fire.”

Chalmers says firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading to any nearby property.

“There’s a large pile of CP Rail ties that were within a pretty short distance of being caught. If that would have caught on fire, it would have been a little messier, a little dirtier and a longer time there. But the guys got to it in time and put it out before it got those things involved.”

As for the source, Chalmers says it’s hard to say what caused the line to break.

“Just the line, actually, so it’s a little bit of a mystery. The pole didn’t look it sustained any damage, not in the reports that I’ve got from the guys.”

This isn’t the first grass fire of the season.

A blaze last week just west of Chase quickly spread to more than 100 hectares in size.

Chalmers says residents should not let their guards down.

“With all of that snow, I think people are thinking we’ve got lots of time before we even have to start thinking that way. But with the events in the Neskonlith area last week, and we’ve had a couple around here already – a little bit of wind and a little bit of sun and it dries things out in a hurry.”