Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
A group of residents at Gallagher Lake Village Park put out their own grass fire caused by one of the homeowners who had been using a tool during a work project late this morning.
It proves how a spark from a tool can easily cause a fire in these hot, dry conditions.
Oliver Fire Department spokesman Rob Graham reported that someone had been using a grinder or similar tool that caused a spark, which in turn caught the grass on fire behind homes near McIntyre Creek.
Fortunately, residents were quick to extinguish the fire with garden hoses before firefighters arrived. The size was approximately 200 feet by 200 feet.
Firefighters proceeded to wet the area down with more water to ensure the fire was totally out.
Graham cautioned people to be very careful when using tools in these extreme hazard conditions. For example, make sure you have a water source immediately available in case of sparks.
Fire officials also urge people to clear away any flammable or combustible materials from their homes or other structures. Graham noted that an ember from the Nk’Mp Creek fire recently ignited a mattress on someone’s deck.
