Cape Breton grass fires strain resources, threaten property
George Mortimer | CBC News | Posted: April 26, 2016 8:03 PM | Last Updated: April 26, 2016
Deputy chief says region could see more grass fires this year than last year
It's turning out to be a busy spring for grass fires in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
One volunteer fire department alone, in Sydney Mines, has responded to more than 50 calls in the past few weeks.
Cape Breton Regional Fire Service Deputy Chief Chris March says dry conditions and strong winds this month have resulted in faster moving fires and more calls.
The number of deliberately or even maliciously set fires is on track to exceed last year's number, he says. Last year, there were 1,090 calls for grass fires spread across 34 departments in the municipality.
"Typically, our grass fire season runs three weeks, so if you were to do the average, that's on average 52 fire calls per day, every day for three weeks," he said.
"You can imagine the strain that puts on our resources and our personnel."
Sydney Mines's volunteer deputy fire chief, John MacPherson, says his department had a very difficult fire on Monday night at a scrapyard.
MacPherson says he saw it being set as he drove past on his way home from work.
"I personally saw four young fellas set that particular fire and then take off," he said. "It turned into a very serious fire. Got into a pile of scrap metal, old tires, pallets."
MacPherson says firefighters spent three hours dousing the blaze, even as calls came in for other grass fires.
Fast moving
Cape Breton Regional Fire Service is putting out a series of public service announcements this week warning of the dangers of grass fires.
"For anyone who hears this: Don't light them for any reason, and if you see children or anybody lighting a fire and you can communicate with them, tell them to stop, and notify 911 right away," said March.
March says police are called every time a fire is started, but without a co-operative witness it's a hard crime to prosecute.
MacPherson warns grass fires can move quickly, especially in windy conditions. He says anyone caught up in one, either by starting it, fighting it or being in its path, could be risk of serious injury.