Dozens of onlookers surveyed damage Saturday morning at Pipers Lagoon Park. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

late night blaze

‘Blown away with the stupidity of some people:’ Pipers Lagoon fire chars grass, but quickly contained

Jul 13, 2024 | 12:57 PM

NANAIMO — Fire hoses remained deployed at Pipers Lagoon Saturday morning, hours after a brush fire scorched the popular waterfront area.

Flames broke out shortly before 11 p.m. on Friday, July 12 from a grassy lookout area on the northeastern portion of the park, with witnesses saying a group of youth were letting off fireworks immediately before flames were spotted.

Damage was contained to the eastern-most lookout, with prevailing winds and work from firefighters preventing further spread.

While the base of many trees were charred, few had any significant damage with the fire mainly staying in the grassy area on the ground.

Fire scorched most of the lookout area, but left many of the tall trees largely untouched. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Several empty alcohol cans were at the site, consistent with witness reports Friday night suggesting the group believed responsible had been partying by the beach.

Even roughly 10 hours after flames were first reported, some pockets of the ashes were still smoking.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue had at least two hoses left on site, including one connected to a hydrant near the parking lot.

Several crushed cans, along with a grocery store bag and carton of vodka coolers were left on the park bench at the top of the rocky lookout. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

On Saturday morning, dozens of people either on their morning walk or venturing down specifically because of the fire, surveyed the damage.

Barry Calvin said he walks Pipers Lagoon every morning and was bitterly disappointed by the fire’s result.

“I’m blown away with the stupidity of some people. It could have been way worse, the fact that it only got the dry grass and just singed some of the Garry Oak’s, it’s nothing short really of a miracle I think.”

Calvin said he heard sirens last night as he was going to bed, but said it wasn’t uncommon to hear in the neighbourhood and didn’t think much more of it.

Others shared similar frustrations, both with the fire and a potential lack of adequate repercussions for any offenders caught.

NanaimoNewsNOW has reached out to Nanaimo Fire Rescue for comment on the response Friday night.

This article will be updated with the status of the scene and any investigation.

It’s the second notable Fire Rescue response to Pipers Lagoon in recent weeks, with a pair of smouldering driftwood fires drawing attention along the beacn in late June.

Fireworks are banned year-round in the City of Nanaimo, with the exception of those holding a valid permit.

The Coastal Fire Centre banned the use of fireworks as part of the first round of fire bans in spring, while a total open fire ban was put in place at noon on Friday, including campfires.

A fire hose remains ready to douse any hot spots should they arise after flames broke out at Pipers Lagoons Park on Friday night. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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