Kamloops Fire Rescue — despite recently-raised concerns by locals — says it doesn’t consider Strathcona Park in downtown Kamloops a priority area of concern for fires.
KFR Chief Ken Uzeloc, addressing concerns raised by area residents at a recent council session, notes Strathcona Park itself doesn’t represent a major fire risk.
“The area is mainly grassland and sage, with some of the berries in there. There’s not a lot of pine trees,” noted Uzeloc as part of a tour of the Park his crews did this spring. “It then falls to a lower risk criteria from what some of the other higher risk areas across the city are.”
Uzeloc notes Strathcona Park also has the advantage of the trail running all the way through it.
“Yes, there is the potential for grassfire here. But we pretty much have the potential for grassfire across Kamloops,” said Uzeloc. “They do have the path that is paved, that gives the fire department good access in that area.”
“It also is trimmed on both sides of the pathway that keeps the grassland down. There’s about a 20 foot buffer of grass to the fence lines of the homes,” added Uzeloc.
A fire in April, 2023 did make it close to a number of homes up the hill before fire crews were able to put it out.
At that time, Uzeloc said while the fire was creeping up the hill toward Strathcona Terrace, he said none of the homes were actually threatened.
That fire is believed to have been caused at a homeless encampment within the park itself.
Addressing the concerns raised by Strathcona area residents about their perceived fire danger, Uzeloc is recommending locals get a FireSmart assessment to minimize their risk.