Wind-driven wildfire near Gilpin contained after threatening power lines

Fire crews respond as flames move through dry grass near Gilpin Forest Service Road and Highway 3 on Aug. 26. Grand Forks Fire Rescue said the fire reached Rank 3 behaviour before crews from multiple agencies brought it under control.

Photo: Grand Forks Fire Rescue

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A fast-moving wildfire near Gilpin Forest Service Road and Highway 3 prompted the shutdown of three FortisBC transmission lines Wednesday evening as crews from Grand Forks, Christina Lake and the BC Wildfire Service worked to contain the fire. Grand Forks Fire Rescue was dispatched at 6:44 p.m. Aug. 26 after smoke was reported in the area.

Within minutes, the call was updated to a wildfire measuring about 50 feet by 200 feet and moving west. By the time the first Grand Forks crew arrived, the fire had grown to approximately 100 feet by 500 feet and was being pushed by the wind, according to Grand Forks Fire Rescue.

Fire behaviour was assessed at Rank 3, meaning the fire had developed an organized flame front and was moving at a moderate rate of spread. Fires at that level may also produce occasional candling in trees and can be difficult to contain with hand-constructed control lines alone.

Firefighters work the burned area near Gilpin Forest Service Road and Highway 3 after crews contained a wind-driven wildfire on Aug. 26. The fire threatened FortisBC transmission infrastructure and prompted a temporary shutdown of three lines.

Photo: Grand Forks Fire Rescue

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Firefighters used the deck-mounted monitor on E354 to attack the head of the fire, using all 1,000 gallons of water carried on the apparatus while crews established a broader suppression operation.

BC Wildfire Service personnel were already in the area returning from another incident and arrived soon afterward. The provincial agency also provided helicopter support, while Christina Lake Fire Rescue responded with additional firefighters and apparatus.

The fire was burning beneath three FortisBC transmission lines and had reached wooden utility poles. Fire command requested that power to all three lines be shut down so firefighters could safely work around the infrastructure and extinguish the burning poles.

FortisBC crews later assessed the damage and authorized the lines to be re-energized when conditions were safe. Crews returned Thursday morning to make repairs, and Grand Forks Fire Rescue said additional work on the infrastructure will be required over the coming months.

RCMP also attended to assist with traffic control and the initial investigation into the fire’s cause and origin.

Fire crews jointly contained the wildfire Wednesday evening. Grand Forks Fire Rescue and BC Wildfire Service personnel returned Thursday morning to continue mop-up work.

The cause remains under investigation by Grand Forks Fire Rescue and the BC Wildfire Service. The fire department said the electrical distribution system has been ruled out as a cause.

Grand Forks Fire Rescue credited Christina Lake Fire Rescue, the BC Wildfire Service, FortisBC, Yellowhead Road and Bridge and RCMP for assisting with the response.

The department also reminded residents that campfires remain prohibited and recreational off-road vehicle use is prohibited on Crown land in the Southeast Fire Centre. The off-road restriction applies to all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and off-road side-by-side vehicles.