Grand Forks Fire & Rescue was called this Fathers Day for a fire in the “Smokers Beach” area. A call was received Sunday morning reporting a small fire just off the trail heading towards the beach. It’s located at the Southern border of City limits along the Kettle River.
Deputy Fire Chief Richard Piché says the person who called did try extinguishing the fire, unsuccessfully:
“We showed up, I had maybe a 20 by 30 area just adjacent to the trail, about….from when you walk in…. maybe 90 meters in that was fully involved. We knocked it down quickly and got it under control….”
Piché says they spent a couple of hours ensuring the blaze was out. He adds there is nothing to suggest what caused the blaze, and no evidence of foul play.
He does still have some advice for trail-walkers:
“I mean if you are smoking, absolutely 100% take your cigarette out with you. Don’t just extinguish it in the forest and walk away, actually put it out take it with you and leave the wooded area with it in your hand.”
Piché adds about a dozen firefighters responded. The blaze could have been more dangerous if the weather was warmer and dryer.