Times-Chronicle Staff
A brush fire off the hike and bike trail north of Oliver on Saturday was a “little bit suspicious.”
Oliver Fire Department spokesman Rob Graham said they responded to a fire at 1:45 a.m. after an ambulance crew reported seeing a “glow” while driving by the area.
Firefighters had to access the scene from the Oliver Visitor Centre.
Graham said the fire (approximately 70 feet by 200 feet) was burning some brush and trees between the trail and the river. He noted it was a slow burn that had been active for a while.
He admitted it was somewhat suspicious since there are a few visitors or travellers occupying areas along the bike path.
Graham said it was a struggle extinguishing one particular tree, so they cut it down to manage it properly.
He noted the brush is quite dry, even this time of year.
The following day, the department was called out to a controlled burn that actually got “out of control” off Black Sage Road, Graham said.
He noted the property owner was burning off future fuels but unfortunately his burning pile spread to a few different places.
“It doesn’t help when there are piles of leaves and lots of low hanging branches,” Graham said.
He urges landowners to use caution when burning and to ensure they have an adequate water supply on hand.
