Powell River Fire Rescue responded to a call from North Island Fire Dispatch at 5:43 pm on November 9 regarding a fire near the north end of the Willingdon Beach trail.
According to deputy chief Rocky Swanson, upon arrival, the Powell River Fire Rescue team encountered a fire approximately 50 feet in diameter, moving inland from the beach.
“Over the course of approximately three hours, our dedicated crew of 15 firefighters, inclusive of both paid on-call and career personnel, worked diligently in challenging terrain to address the situation,” stated Swanson in a media release. “Despite the fire's relatively modest size, the dangers it presented led to the precautionary felling of trees due to the imminent threat to public safety as the fire had burned almost completely through some of the trees.
“It is imperative to highlight the persistent dryness of the forest, emphasizing the ongoing ban on beach fires. While recent rainfall has provided some relief, only inches down, the forest remains exceedingly dry. Preliminary investigations strongly suggest that this fire was intentionally set, posing a severe risk to the public. Our ongoing efforts to delve deeper into this matter reflect our commitment to ensuring public safety.”
Swanson stated that he expressed his gratitude to the firefighters and commended them for their exceptional efforts, led by captain Robert Devlin and his crew.
“Additionally, sincere thanks are extended to the individual who promptly dialed 911, actively aiding our firefighting endeavours,” stated Swanson. “This commendable citizen’s swift action merits recognition. As of 8:30 pm, our crews were concluding operations and preparing to return to the station. Incidents like this underscore the pivotal role the public plays in preventing such occurrences in the future.”
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
