Local fire fighters were called to contain a grass fire in the Gilpin area that burned out of control on the weekend, scorched several buildings and destroyed one unoccupied house. There were no injuries. Assistant Fire Chief Dale Heriot said that the Wildfire Management Branch (WMB) of the Ministry of Range and Forests was initially called because the Gilpin is outside of the Grand Forks fire protection area and not the responsibility of local fire departments. Because there was no response form the WMB, however, Heriot said that about 12 local firefighters were called out to make sure the fire did not spread into the surrounding Crown land.

Heriot would like to remind residents to keep in mind four important rules governing grass or brush fires: 1) residents must have the proper tools, equipment and personnel available, 2) they must have water available and on site at all times, 3) the burning should be done in the morning when the winds are calm, and 4) they should make sure that the fire is completely out.