Anarchist Mountain Fire Department responded to multiple fires on the mountain Monday. Dale Boyd/Osoyoos Times
Update July 23 9:20 a.m.
Crews are working Tuesday to put out hot spots, but quick action Monday afternoon from the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department and BC Wildfire has contained the Ravenhill Road fire and nearly extinguished five lightning-caused fires on the mountain.
An electrical storm along with booming thunder on Monday afternoon saw five small fires pop up, barely an hour after AMFD crews had contained a fire West of Ravenhill Road. The cause of the Ravenhill Road fire is under investigation, and the Osoyoos Times captured images of a burn pile in the area where the fire was spreading.
AMFD Chief Urs Grob was unable to comment further on the investigation.
Grob noted there is lightning in the forecast Tuesday.
“I hope we don’t get hit today,” Grob said.
BC Wildfire crews, as well as a small scout plane and an air bomber, were called in Monday afternoon to assist AMFD and tackle another spot fire located on Crown land.
With the forecast predicting over 30 C highs and sunshine in Osoyoos in the coming weeks, dryer conditions are on the way.
“This same scenario in two weeks would be way worse,” Grob said.
Original July 22 5:23 p.m.
After a brief bout of thunder and lightning, Anarchist Mountain Fire Department is responding to even more small fires after containing a blaze on Ravenhill Road early Monday afternoon.
BC Wildfire crews are en route to assist AMFD, with nine personnel and a small plane assisting from the sky, according to Taylor MacDonald Fire Information Officer with BC Wildfire.
MacDonald said crews are responding to three fires in the area.
