What could have been a devastating fire near Golden, B.C. was prevented thanks to the quick actions of RCMP officers and good Samaritans.
On the afternoon of Aug. 16, 2023, Golden RCMP BC Highway Patrol Const. Mark Tataryn was travelling down Highway 1 when noticed a brush fire on the north side of the highway near Forde Station Rd., according to the RCMP.
The fire was approximately 20 metres wide, travelling east and began to engulf large trees.
“Const. Tataryn used multiple fire extinguishers from his police vehicle, the vehicles of fellow RCMP officers that attended, and other motorists’ vehicles that stopped to help,” said a statement from police.
At that moment, a Kootenay Pumping truck was travelling near the area and was able to aid the group battling the fire. Together, they managed to slow the fire to a “manageable size.”
Close call comes amid wildfire emergency
By Aug. 18, more than 16,500 square kilometres had burned across B.C., burning an area the size of Vancouver Island and making 2023 the province’s worst wildfire season on record.
On the same day as Tataryn and others battled the fire in Golden, the Emergency Operations Centre was activated in Kelowna, B.C. for the McDougall Creek Wildfire. The city is currently in a state of emergency as the wildfire causes residents to evacuate the West Kelowna area.
Once Tataryn and those with him slowed the fire, the Golden Fire Department took over. Other assistance was provided from the Nicholson Fire Department and BC Wildfire Services that attended via helicopter. In addition, EMCON and BC Hydro were cited as providing support.
“Without the quick thinking of Const. Tataryn and staff from Kootenay Pumping, the outcome could have been devastating for the community,” said Corporal Lucas Sovio with the Golden-Field RCMP in the release.
“A special thank you to all of the local residents, passersby and first responders who helped fight the fire.”
Officials believe the fire started thanks to a tree falling on a power line over the affected area, according to the release.
For roughly two and half hours, traffic was partially blocked on Highway 1 to allow crews to put out the blaze.
The fire was fully extinguished at 8 p.m. local time.
“This incident almost led to the evacuation of residents in the Blaeberry area,” said Golden-Field RCMP media relations officer Const. Kat Robinson.
Amid the evacuation of more than 4,500 people across the province, the detachment urges British Columbians to review the government Emergency Preparedness Guide and prepare should leaving on short notice be required.
With files from Stefan Labbé/Glacier Media
