Three grass fires responded to over the weekend at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds

The Williams Lake Fire Department (WLFD) responded to 3 grass fires at the Stampede Grounds over the past 3 days.

Fire Chief Evan Dean said the most serious happened Saturday afternoon at 4;39 when strong winds were pushing flames directly toward homes on Pinchbeck Street.

“A Williams Lake Fire Department lieutenant spotted the fire from the fire hall parking lot and called it in immediately. Because a crew was already on standby at the hall, the department was able to respond within seconds. That rapid detection and response prevented multiple homes from being involved.

The following night at about 11:15 crews again responded instantly to another grass fire in the Stampede Grounds.

Thanks to the same standby crew, firefighters were able to contain the fire quickly under extremely dry conditions.

Dean says 1 of the 3 fires is believed to have been caused by lightning while the other 2 both occurring in nearly the same area are considered suspicious and now under RCMP investigation.

“These fires come at a time when BC Wildfire Service resources are heavily committed across the region,” Dean said, “WLFD continues assisting BC Wildfire Service on the Felker Lake wildfire near Enterprise Road with a tactical tender while maintaining full coverage for the City. The City of Williams Lake authorized WLFD to staff an engine at the hall during this period of extreme fire behavior, a decision that directly contributed to preventing structure loss this weekend.”