108 Mile Ranch Fire Department Chief Chris Haddad said they were called out yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) at 4 after a large Fir tree had snapped off and brought down a power line that sparked the fire.
“There was some gusting wind in the area and it appeared the tree, which did the damage, was also in poor health.” Haddad noted, “The combination of both the wind and the health of the tree played a factor.”
After assurances from BC Hydro that the lines were no longer live, he said they were aided by BC Wildfire personnel along with helicopter assistance to extinguish the half hectare fire.
108 Mile Ranch Fire Department was on scene for about four hours responding with two tenders, a brush truck, a wet rescue, a command vehicle, and 12 members.
Haddad added that there was damage to hydro and telephone, including a fibre optic cable.
Hydro was restored to most areas within a half hour, some went without power for much longer.