Fire crews responded to two grassfires on a property on Grafton Avenue, midway between Coombs and Errington this afternoon (June 23).
Aaron Poirier, Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department chief, said a resident was mowing the grass with a ride on lawn tractor and hit rocks in two locations, sparking the fires. It took fire crews about 35 minutes to get the blaze under control, Poirier said.
“Our priorities were obviously structure protection to stop extension, so we had three homes that may have been challenged,” said Poirer. “Our priorities were aggressive fire attack and structure protection to contain the fire to the field of origin.”
The Coombs-Hilliers and Errington fire departments responded around 1:25 p.m. Qualicum Beach Fire Department also responded to the call with a water tanker truck, but was cancelled en route.
Poirier estimated they spent at least another 45 minutes ensuring no hot spots remained and patrolling the area for more signs of fire.
“It speaks to how dry it is and all our behaviours and how we have to pay attention to how dry it is and be responsible and safe,” he said.
