Nanaimo Fire Rescue is reminding people that fires are banned, following a bush fire in the Rock City Road area Monday.
Fire crews responded to a report of fire at 9:21 a.m. in the 3400 block of Rock City Road Monday and while it was extinguished, Karen Fry, Nanaimo Fire Rescue acting fire chief, said there have been about three similar incidents reported in that vicinity in the past few weeks.
Fry said it it doesn’t appear to be a homeless camp, arson, or maliciously set, but rather a “congregation point.” The area is on a rock bluff and is forest interface, where forest meets the residential areas.
“This seems to be an area where we have responded to a couple of incidents in that area recently and it may appear that people are having a bit of a campfire in that area,” said Fry. “So we want the neighbours to be really diligent. If they see or smell anything, to give us a call.”
Fry said there is a complete fire ban in the City of Nanaimo and area and as such, these types of fires are illegal.
If people see or smell a fire, or see people with a campfire, call 911, Fry said.
“We’re at an extreme fire rating right now and they can quickly get out of hand. Especially with the wind and the hot temperatures, fire can spread quite rapidly,” said Fry.