A fire near Powell River Recreation Complex is under control and is suspected to be human-caused.
Powell River Fire Rescue deputy chief Rocky Swanson said city firefighters and provincial ministry of forest firefighters responded to the blaze during the morning of September 23.
Swanson said it is believed the fire started as a result of a campfire in the area between the recreation complex and the northwest side of Harvie Avenue, in the wooded area. Fires in the area have been a recurring problem, he added.
Swanson said the firefighters were about 200 metres in from the medical clinic for this particular fire. He said he had called the RCMP into some similar previous fires and they did not suspect arson.
“The definition of arson is if somebody starts a fire deliberately to cause damage,” said Swanson. “In this case, it seems to be people trying to make small campfires. They may even think they have put them out, but the problem is there are years of pine needles here that are feet deep. The fire burns down and then it burns back up.”
Swanson said the fire department was short staffed, so forestry staff were called in to help out. The forestry office sent four workers to help with the fire.
When contacted around 10:30 am, Swanson said the fire was under control but there were still hot spots. Thermal imaging cameras were being used to find the hot spots.
“It’s just really hard work,” added Swanson. “The slope is so steep back here, heading down toward the creek.”
Swanson said if people are thinking about starting a campfire back in the trees, they should not, because it’s going to get away from them.
“No one can control a campfire back there,” said Swanson. “It’s too dry. We can barely control the fire with all of our rigs. Once it goes underground, there is nothing an individual can do with a couple of cans of water to put it out.
“If this gets out of control, we could end up losing homes.”
Swanson said there was also a fire behind the recreation complex and added that no one wants to see the facility endangered.
