Firefighters and residents of Harmony Crescent survey the scene during a grass fire this afternoon. No injuries or structural damage were reported. The cause was a burning barrel. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
An Oliver resident who was burning material in a barrel on Harmony Crescent this afternoon got a rude awakening when it ignited dry grass.
Oliver firefighters were called to a residence in the 5900 block where a grass fire was burning close to two homes. A lot of smoke filled the air as residents, friends and family tried to extinguish the blaze in the neighbourhood off Pineridge Road.
A witness told the Chronicle that someone was burning while working in a garden. Oliver Fire Department spokesman Rob Graham confirmed the cause was a burning barrel.
Oliver firefighters arrived quickly and managed to prevent the fire from spreading further.
No injuries or structural damage were reported.
Oliver firefighters urge extreme caution to anyone burning anything because of the dry conditions. There is currently an open burning ban in the region, and the fire department has implemented a campfire ban in its protection area.
However, Fire Information Officer Kelsey Winter said Native reserves do not fall under the jurisdiction of the BC Wildfire Service because they’re on federal land. Therefore, the prohibition on open burning does not apply to them.
