Brush fire at Grouse Mountain highlights wildfire risk

A late-night brush fire at the base of Grouse Mountain on Friday has highlighted the wildfire risk, as warm, dry weather moves across the province this weekend.

North Vancouver District fire crews were called to Grouse Mountain just after 11 p.m.

The district's Assistant Fire Chief, Mike Cairns, said crews found a brush fire that was quickly spreading. He said it had grown to about 225 square metres, with flames as high as six metres before about 20 firefighters could get water on it.

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The fire was above aparking lot used by hikers tackling the Grouse Grind, though the trail was unaffected.

"It's probably 150 metres above the parking area. There's a trail into it, but it's dark and it was hard work to get the hose lines up there," said Cairns. "Once we got water on it, it was quiteeasily contained."

Cairns said the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch was contacted, but wasn't needed to extinguish the flames.

"[TheB.C. Wildfire Management Branch] willbe mobilizing crews at sixin the morning, and they'll come down fromSquamishand meet us here. We'll go in at first light and do the overhaul and make sure the fire is completely out," said Cairns.

Cairns said that's when investigators may be able to figure out how the fire started.

2015 wildfire season starting early

He said people need to be careful when enjoying the warm weather in the forest, or crews will have to battle more wildfires.

"We're having an early fire season here. Just be very fire aware in the trails, and just be careful with any smoking materials, or anything that could start a fire," said Cairns. "It's dry and we're getting into some more dry, hot weather ahead."