PHOTOS: KFR issues cedar hedge warning after destructive Westsyde fire

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) is reminding residents about cedar hedge care following a structure fire in Westsyde on Wednesday (Aug. 24).

In a social media post Friday (Aug. 26) morning, KFR says an outbuilding was damaged and a vehicle was destroyed by a fire that started in a backyard cedar hedge. The hedge was reportedly quickly destroyed and immediately spread to the vehicle and outbuilding before KFR was on scene.

On arrival, KFR says crews quickly knocked down the fire before it was able to spread to adjacent houses.

(Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Fire Rescue).

(Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Fire Rescue).

(Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Fire Rescue).

KFR recommends removing cedar hedges as the safest option. But if residents are unwilling or unable to remove them, KFR says they should ensure their cedars are well watered and don’t have dead and dry plant material from inside and under.

“Even perfectly maintained and watered cedars are extremely volatile once ignited,” KFR states. “The resin in even a healthy plant burns very quickly, releasing a very large amount of heat in just a few seconds. Maintaining cedars is very labour intensive. Every year, each plant will accumulate a large amount of dead growth between the trunk and the outer leaves, that must be cleaned out to reduce ignitability.”

Kamloops residents can learn more about FireSmart solutions online.