Times Chronicle Staff
A brisk wind, a smouldering fire and nobody around to monitor it was cause for concern among Oliver firefighters this afternoon.
Fire crews were once again called out to Nk-Mip Road off Black Sage Road to extinguish a smouldering fire from yesterday, when officials were requested to leave the scene by the owner.
Since firefighters didn’t want to escalate the situation on the Osoyoos Indian reserve, they left the scene to smoulder on May 10. But today, since the fire was unattended, they sprayed the area with water. At one point, a motorist stopped and verbally challenged the fire crews what they were doing there, using an expletive in the process. He then drove off.
Fire Chief Bob Graham said this recurring situation is very frustrating for the department trying to do its job in keeping the community safe. He noted that today’s brisk wind could have easily blown the embers and started the entire field on fire.
Fire officials urge residents to never leave a fire unattended and to ensure a water source is nearby in case it gets out of control.
