A recreational vehicle was completely destroyed Sunday night after catching fire while driving up Hwy. 3 on Anarchist Mountain.
The Anarchist Mountain Fire Department received a call at 9:15 p.m. about a vehicle fire on Hwy. 3, just below Chapman Rd.
An RV was fully engulfed in flames in the uphill eastbound lane when the AMFD arrived soon after the call. The driver was the sole occupant and was able to escape without injuries.
Photo courtesy of Anarchist Mountain Fire Department.
“It went up pretty fast because of the materials. These fires are so toxic because you’ve got plastics and upholstery and things that are flammable,” an AMFD spokesperson said. The toxicity also means firefighters must wear breathing apparatus.
Hwy. 3 was closed in both directions for 90 minutes and then went to one lane, alternating traffic until 1:15 a.m. Monday morning. AMFD firefighters battled the blaze and were on scene for approximately five hours.
“We are most fortunate that the vegetation was not as dry as last year; firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading with a quick attack”, commented AMFD Chief Urs Grob.
“In this case, the driver did the right thing by not pulling off to the side of the road near the grass. He stopped his RV close to the centre of the road which helped prevent the fire from spreading to roadside vegetation,” Grob added.
Drivers are asked to obey all road and speed signage in this area until the eastbound lane is repaired.
