Fire officials suspect that a cigarette could have caused the grass fire on Secrest HIll Road last week. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
Although unconfirmed, fire officials say a cigarette may have caused last Friday’s grass fire on Secrest Hill Road.
Oliver Fire Department was called to a grass fire at approximately 3:15 p.m. near Pampass Grass Road on August 7.
It appeared it started on the side of the road and quickly spread west.
Firefighters were initially able to flank the blaze, but at one point a strong wind carried it up a hill and blanketed the area in thick smoke. Amazingly, one truck’s crew was able to stop it from spreading toward a home on the other side.
“I thought they were going to lose it,” said media relations officer Rob Graham.
Because firefighters had a good handle on the blaze, no air support was needed, he pointed out.
Graham said the fire was contained to about half a hectare.
The public is reminded that conditions are very dry and it doesn’t take much for a cigarette to start a grass fire.
Keep your cigarette butts in the car where they belong, officials are urging the public.
