The Daily Populous Thursday August 7th, 2025 morning edition
Authored by local12.com and submitted by SmallRocks

A peculiar incident involving a fish and an osprey led to a power outage in Ashcroft, British Columbia, last week.

Shortly before noon on July 30, Ashcroft Fire was dispatched to a landscape fire burning 6 kilometers south of town, just off the east side of Highway 1.

Upon arrival, firefighters found employees from Dawson Road Maintenance, BC Hydro, and Ashcroft ranch hands already battling the blaze.

With the combined efforts of Ashcroft Fire's Engine 3 and Tender 4, along with Ashcroft Ranch's tender, approximately 4,800 gallons of water were used to cool the 60-by-90-meter area.

A quick investigation revealed the unusual cause of the fire: a fish. The fish had been dropped by a local osprey onto a hydro line, causing embers to fall into the dry grasses below.

"We do suspect by the size of the fish and the heat of the day probably caused the rather tired bird to drop its catch," said a spokesperson. "Or another suspicion could be that it’s tired of raw fish and wanted to give cooked a try."

"The suspect osprey has been caught and is being held in custody for questioning. The judge has not granted bail as the suspect poses an extreme flight risk!" the agency said jokingly on Facebook.

This incident marked the first working call for Ashcroft Fire's Tender 4, which performed admirably.

The Ashcroft Fire Department expressed gratitude to BC Hydro, Ashcroft Ranch, Dawson Road Maintenance, and local employers for their support in the firefight. "You are what makes putting these fires out possible," they said.

DENelson83 on August 6th, 2025 at 20:28 UTC »

What the hell is a Portland, OR TV station doing in Canada doing firsthand reporting on something that does not affect Portland?

SmallRocks on August 6th, 2025 at 20:26 UTC »

Fishy business: osprey drops dinner, sparks fire, and leaves Canadian town in the dark

ASHCROFT, British Columbia (KATU) — A peculiar incident involving a fish and an osprey led to a power outage in Ashcroft, British Columbia, last week.

Shortly before noon on July 30, Ashcroft Fire was dispatched to a landscape fire burning 6 kilometers south of town, just off the east side of Highway 1.

Upon arrival, firefighters found employees from Dawson Road Maintenance, BC Hydro, and Ashcroft ranch hands already battling the blaze.

With the combined efforts of Ashcroft Fire's Engine 3 and Tender 4, along with Ashcroft Ranch's tender, approximately 4,800 gallons of water were used to cool the 60-by-90-meter area.

A quick investigation revealed the unusual cause of the fire: a fish. The fish had been dropped by a local osprey onto a hydro line, causing embers to fall into the dry grasses below.

"We do suspect by the size of the fish and the heat of the day probably caused the rather tired bird to drop its catch," said a spokesperson. "Or another suspicion could be that it’s tired of raw fish and wanted to give cooked a try."

"The suspect osprey has been caught and is being held in custody for questioning. The judge has not granted bail as the suspect poses an extreme flight risk!" the agency said jokingly on Facebook.

This incident marked the first working call for Ashcroft Fire's Tender 4, which performed admirably.

The Ashcroft Fire Department expressed gratitude to BC Hydro, Ashcroft Ranch, Dawson Road Maintenance, and local employers for their support in the firefight. "You are what makes putting these fires out possible," they said.