A rash of suspicious fires in the BX has officials, and residents, on alert.
BX-Swan Lake Fire Rescue crews were called out to a wildfire at the BX Creek Trail Park (off Star Road) Friday evening. Once there they discovered three separate fires on the trail.
While the cause of the fire is being deemed undetermined, with all evidence destroyed, it remains suspicious.
“To have the rank two and three fire that we had when we got there was unusual considering all the rain we had,” said Bill Wacey, fire chief.
Following another recent fire in the park, one on Hartnell Road and an abandoned camper set ablaze in May, Wacey is concerned.
“This is one of several suspicious fires we’ve had in our area since April. We’re at seven or eight now.”
Considering the area is high risk, he is glad crews have been able to get on top of the fires before they spread.
And so are residents.
Corinne Zacharuk and her husband, Wayne, live near the BX trail park. They smelled the smoke and praised the efforts of the firefighters.
“They came from both ends of Star Road at the bottom and at the top, they got there right away and got on the fire,” said Corinne Zacharuk.
There were reports from other neighbours in the area that a group of youth were driving around and seen parked at the park.
Wacey warns any fire bugs out there that there are a lot of eyes on them.
“Area residents, everybody, is paying attention to suspicious activities. You eventually will get caught.”