Three fires on Hardy Mountain considered suspicious, investigation underway

Fire burns on Hardy Mountain during the overnight response by Grand Forks Fire Rescue. Three separate fires in the area are being treated as suspicious because of their number, proximity and timing.

Photo: Grand Forks Fire Rescue/Facebook

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The circumstances surrounding three separate wildfires on Hardy Mountain are considered suspicious after Grand Forks Fire Rescue responded to the fires within a period of several hours Friday night and early Saturday morning.

The first two fires were reported through 911 at approximately 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28. Grand Forks Fire Rescue said both were relatively small and crews were able to deal with them in a short period of time.

A third fire was reported at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday.

That fire was initially dispatched as approximately five metres by five metres. Before crews arrived, however, the first arriving officer observed that it had grown to approximately 30 metres by 100 metres and immediately requested additional resources, including mutual aid from Christina Lake and assistance from the RCMP.

The fire was spreading in all directions but was not close to any structures, according to Grand Forks Fire Rescue.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire within a couple of hours. Its total size was estimated at approximately 70 metres by 120 metres.

The burned area on Hardy Mountain after crews contained the largest of three fires reported Friday night and early Saturday. Grand Forks Fire Rescue estimated the fire at about 70 metres by 120 metres.

Photo: Grand Forks Fire Rescue/Facebook

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“Due to the number of fires, their proximity and timing, the circumstances are considered suspicious,” Grand Forks Fire Rescue said in its public information statement.

The statement does not say the fires were deliberately set and does not identify a cause.

Grand Forks Fire Rescue said the RCMP and BC Wildfire Service had both been notified and were aware of the incidents. The department also said the fire is currently under investigation by Grand Forks Fire Rescue, BC Wildfire Service and the RCMP.

BC Wildfire Service crews attended Saturday morning with a Grand Forks Fire Rescue crew to complete mop-up and ensure the fire was out.

Grand Forks Fire Rescue is asking anyone who was in the area during the time of the fires and observed unusual activity, people or vehicles to contact police. The department is also asking anyone with potentially relevant security or dash-camera footage to come forward.

The Grand Forks RCMP detachment can be reached at 250-442-8288.

Grand Forks Fire Rescue has asked people to avoid speculation or identifying individuals on social media.

Anyone who sees smoke or fire should call 911 immediately.

The department thanked its mutual-aid partners and the RCMP for assisting with the incident.