With assistance from the Courtenay Fire Department and BC Wildfire, Cumberland firefighters battled a blaze on the old Souther homestead on Wednesday, Sept. 7, successfully containing the blaze before it could spread into the forest.
Cumberland Fire Chief Mike Williamson said the fire started in a shop next to the main house, and embers from the shop jumped to the main structure. Other embers were causing additional fires among the trees.
B次元官网网址淲hen I arrived, the flames were shooting all the way to the top of the trees,B次元官网网址� said Williamson. B次元官网网址淭hen the stuff flying off the trees was causing other spot fires, so BC Wildfire showed upB次元官网网址� I told them I needed them to walk through the forest and find any hot spots flaring up. They did a really good job.B次元官网网址�
An unusually windy afternoon created the potential for a devastating wildfire, as the homestead sits amidst the Cumberland Community Forest, just beyond Coal Creek Historic Park.
B次元官网网址淲hen we got this call, the wind had just died down - we were really lucky,B次元官网网址� said Williamson. B次元官网网址淚 was at my house in the afternoon and I thought B次元官网网址極h man, if we had a fire right nowB次元官网网址次元官网网址� But the wind perfectly calmed down and then this happened.
B次元官网网址淚f this was last August, when it was way drier, it would have been a lot worse. One thing we always fear in our department is this community forest. ItB次元官网网址檚 a big part of our community, and when I saw this going on thought, B次元官网网址榦h my God, we have to save this forest.B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檝e walked through this forest many times and it is beautiful back there.B次元官网网址�
There were no injuries reported, although there was some concern of a youth inside the main house.
B次元官网网址淲e did three searches of the house, but Deputy Fire Chief Stefane Dionne said B次元官网网址榯hereB次元官网网址檚 nobody in there. We have done every room and there is absolutely nobody inside.B次元官网网址� He was looking after the house and I looked after the rest. He did a great job on the house.B次元官网网址�
The cause of the fire is under investigation. A group of youths was present at the time the fire began.
Black Press has reached out to the RCMP for comment.
Cumberland Mayor Leslie Baird was on scene during the fire to observe from a safe distance, and praised all those involved in containing the fire.
B次元官网网址淭hey did an absolutely amazing job,B次元官网网址� she said. It was so well co-ordinated. Thank you to the Courtenay Fire Department for their mutual aid agreement. Hydro, (BC Wildfire), everybody who needed to be there was there.B次元官网网址�
She added she shared the concern of many villagers about the possibility of the fire spreading into the community forest.
B次元官网网址淲hen I first saw it, it looked absolutely scary,B次元官网网址� said Baird. B次元官网网址淭here was a lot of concern from a lot of residents in town, and they had a right to be afraid. We were fortunate that the wind died down.B次元官网网址�
Williamson also extended his appreciation to his squad.
B次元官网网址淥ur whole team worked so hardB次元官网网址� really hard. This is a lot of work. I am very proud of them.B次元官网网址�
The property was recently acquired by the Village of Cumberland, and Williamson said the area was going to be used for firefighter training.
B次元官网网址淲e were planning fire practices here, so we had a good one last night.B次元官网网址�
terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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