West Vancouver Fire & Rescue members are tamping down a brush fire off the Upper Levels Highway.
The first 911 call came in around 1:15 p.m. when someone spotted smoke near Skilift Road.
“The first crew responded and found a small brush fire growing quite quickly due to some winds and relatively dry grasses,” said Deputy Fire Chief Gord Howard.
First responders called in a second engine, and together they got it contained to an approximately 50- by 30-foot area up a steep embankment.
“There were some terrain challenges but they were able to safely get it out,” Howard said. “Our crews are up there with some wildfire equipment, turning over the ground and making sure that there is no chance of it rekindling.”
Most brush fires end up being blamed on discarded smoking material. Howard said investigators aren’t sure yet what caused Thursday’s blaze but he said residents need to be cautious about any potential source of ignition.
Most importantly, residents need to call 911 if they see smoke or flames – even if they think someone else has already reported it.
“If you see something, let us know quickly. It makes all the difference,” he said. “The faster we get on the fire, the smaller it is.”
Fire danger rating as of June 6 is low to moderate.
