Kamloops grass fire in Strathcona Park 'criminal in nature'

(UPDATE: April 19 @ 5:15 pm) - The large grass fire in Strathcona Park this afternoon is being treated as criminal in nature, according to the Kamloops RCMP.

At approximately 2:44 pm, Kamloops Fire and Rescue, Kamloops RCMP officers and Kamloops Community Service officers attended the blaze, which was visible throughout the city, in the area of Powers Road and Strathcona Terrace.

“The Kamloops fire department and BC Wildfire Service did an amazing job extinguishing the fire quickly and preventing it from spreading further,” said superintendent Jeff Pelley of the Kamloops RCMP.

“The origin of the fire has been established as a campfire and we’re now conducting a criminal investigation.”

Officers remain on the scene collecting physical evidence and acquiring statements as part of the investigation.

A camp had recently established in the area and police are looking to speak with anyone who may have information related to how the blaze occurred or know who is responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at (250) 828-3000 and reference file number 2023-13341.

BC Hydro crews have restored power to some customers.

Currently, the power is out for 855 residents in the area west of 10th Avenue, south of Chilcotin Road, east of Centre Avenue and north of Nicola Street.

(UPDATE: April 19 @ 4:55 pm) - Kamloops Fire and Rescue is "mopping up" today's grassfire.

One crew member said this fire really highlights the importance of making sure properties are FireSmart.

"If this were later in the season, this fire would have travelled even faster," he explained.

"There's a lot that can be done by homeowners to help protect their homes long before the fire comes."

More information can be found at Kamloops.ca/FireSmart.

BC Hydro now has crew members on-site to restore the power.

(Original story: April 19 @ 4:10 pm) - A grass fire that broke out near Overlanders Bridge in Kamloops this afternoon is now under control.

Kamloops Fire and Rescue and BC Wildfire Service responded to the Strathcona Park fire, which was discovered shortly before 3 pm, according to BC Wildfire.

No structures were impacted, but the City is asking residents to avoid the area.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

BC Hydro also reported a power outage caused by a fire to 3,800 customers.

The power has been off since 2:41 pm in the area west of Highway 5, east of Mission Flats Road, south of Kootenay Way and north of McGill Road.

Crews have been assigned to restore the power.