From the wildfire mavens at The Hotshot Wake Up, August 2:
What?!
Politicians and elected officials continue to complain about wildfire smoke pushing into their cities and states from Canada. A Minnesota mayor this week said, “Canada has ruined our Summer,” and blamed them for not putting out their fires.
But what are you supposed to do if fish are starting your wildfires? Because that’s exactly what happened in the Village of Ashcroft, British Columbia.
Now, fish fires are not the main culprit for wildfire smoke blanketing the Northern States. The more likely suspects are lightning and human caused fires in the wilderness of northern Canada and B.C., like the one that started recently outside Lyton.
It’s already 3,200 acres, and an Incident Management Team has been called.
And unlike the Ashcroft Fire, this was started by a human, not a fish.
So, how the hell does a fish cause a wildfire?!
It all started as a normal initial attack call 2 days ago. Ashcroft Fire Rescue arrived on scene, and ranch hands, along with power company employees, were already scrambling to catch the fire.
Shortly before noon hour, Ashcroft Fire was dispatched to a landscape fire burning 6km south of town. The fire was located just off the east side of highway 1. When the crew arrived on scene it was noted that BC hydro employee's and Ashcroft ranch hands were actively fighting the fire. With the heavy fire being knocked down.
Ashcroft fire was able to cool the perimeter and the burned area with Engine 3 and Tender 4. Ashcroft ranches tender was also on scene. With all units combined, roughly 4800 gallons of water was put down into an area roughly 60×90 meters.
The fire had started under transmission lines, so one would think the power company was at fault, but it all seemed a little fishy…
Firefighters concluded that an Osprey had caught a fish 3km away in the Thompson River and then dropped its dinner on the power lines, causing them to spark, ultimately igniting the fire.
WHAT?!....
....MUCH MORE, including the after-action investigation and a photo of the partially grilled fish.
Also at The Hotshot Wakeup:
NY Times Attacks Wildfire Retardant Company Claiming Monopoly. Wall Street Responds And The Stock Soars.
