Crews with the Coastal Fire Center are continuing to monitor the area of a small brush fire that broke out Saturday morning near an old BC Hydro power station on Indian Arm.
Spokesperson Marg Drysdale said the .2 hectare fire was human caused and crews were called in about 10 a.m. to support the Sasamat volunteer fire department.
The Vancouver Police Department marine unit also assisted and by the end of the day the fire was out although fire fighters returned to the scene Sunday for mop up and patrols.
Drysdale said crews will continue to patrol the area to make sure there are no hot spots.
If there are none, "they'll declare it out," Drysdale said.
The area where the brush fire occurred is out of bounds, according to Hydro spokesperson Mora Scott, who added that campfires are not even allowed in the picnic area at nearby Buntzen Lake. She said the fire didn't endanger the public at nearby Buntzen Lake park — less than 10 km from the blaze — but the parking lot was closed down early as a precaution so emergency vehicles could have access. She said Hydro typically closes the gates when the parking lot is full and the lot was nearly filled when it was closed around 1 p.m.
BC Hydro takes seriously its concerns about no open burning or campfires and will be increasing signage and stepping up patrols, Scott said.
The fire danger rating in the coastal area varies depending on the region, according to the Wildlife Management Branch, ranging from low to high, with the Lower MaInland in the moderate range, according to the map.
Other than saying it was human caused, the BC Wildfire Management Branch isn't saying what exactly caused the fire because the investigation is continuing.
