Firefighters are battling a fire on a Kamloops hillside on Aug. 31, 2022.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Marshall Krasser
August 31, 2022 - 11:41 AM
A threatening grassfire in Kamloops today is now under control.
Emergency crews rushed to the grassfire near Aberdeen Mall this morning, blocking traffic in the area.
Kamloops RCMP asked the public to stay away from Hillside Drive, between Notre Dame Drive and Hillside Way as firefighters tried to tame the grassfire. Kamloops Fire Rescue responded to the area around 11 a.m., Aug. 31.
"It had the potential to go far, we're lucky there was no winds," fire chief Ken Uzeloc said.
B.C. Wildfire sent a ground crew to the area early Wednesday afternoon, requested by Kamloops Fire Rescue.
By 12:30 p.m., the grassfire was "completely contained and under control," according to City spokesperson Kristen Rodrigue.
Although the fire was largely contained by the time the wildfire service team showed up, Uzeloc said their expertise was valuable in stopping a fire in open, grassy spaces.
"They had some resources available and they're the experts in what needs to happen when cleaning up those sites," he said.
He couldn't say exactly how large the fire grew to be, but it was initially measured around 50' by 50' and spread quickly
The wildfire service felled compromised trees and helped Kamloops firefighters look for hot spots. Uzeloc added that powerlines in the area were saved before the fire could damage them.
Police said traffic could resume in the area around 2:30 p.m., but delays should be expected.
iNFOnews.ca has reached out to Kamloops Fire Rescue for more information.
Smoke was seen rising from the grass and sagebrush covered hillside through much of the city on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Residents should expect to see firefighters in the area periodically as they check for anymore hot spots overnight.
— This story was updated at 2:45 p.m., Aug. 31, 2022, with information from Kamloops RCMP, B.C. Wildfire Service and the City of Kamloops.
— This story was updated at 5:06 p.m., Aug. 31, 2022, with information from Kamloops Fire Rescue fire chief Ken Uzeloc.
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