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Investigation reveals Burns Bog fire began around base of radio tower

A joint investigation into the cause of this summer’s wildfire at Burns Bog has determined it originated around the base of one of the radio towers in the affected area, but the cause of the blaze still hasn’t been identified.
bog fire
The Burns Bog fire broke out July 3, forcing road closures and an evacuation of the Tilbury Industrial Park.

A joint investigation into the cause of this summer’s wildfire at Burns Bog has determined it originated around the base of one of the radio towers in the affected area, but the cause of the blaze still hasn’t been identified.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Delta fire Chief Dan Copeland said a team comprised of Delta Fire and Emergency Services and B.C. Wildfire Service personnel conducted the investigation.

“Although this was a very successful firefighting effort, Delta Fire and Emergency Services will continue to work collaboratively with Metro Vancouver Parks, B.C. Wildfire Service and other supporting agencies to review its procedures and protocols to ensure the most effective response capability,” Copeland said.

The blaze broke out July 3, forcing road closures and an evacuation of the Tilbury Industrial Park. It started just before noon in an unforested area on the west side of the bog, between 76th and 80th streets.

On the first day it was confirmed the fire started in an area where several transmission and repeating towers for radio stations are located. A couple of the structures were destroyed.

It took several days to contain the blaze, which at one point it grew to around 80 hectares. Around 100 firefighters from Delta and other jurisdictions were called in to contain it.

The provincial costs have been reported to be around $346,000 but how much of that will be on Delta’s tab hasn’t been made public yet. Delta’s costs have yet to be made public.