A sunny afternoon on July 30, 2025 took an unbelievable turn when a brush fire was ignited near Ashcroft after a fish — dropped by an osprey mid‑flight — landed on power lines and sparked dry grass below.
Fire crews from Ashcroft Fire Rescue, supported by local ranchers and personnel from BC Hydro, swiftly brought the blaze under control using approximately 4,800 gallons of water.
The flames charred nearly half a hectare of brushland and temporarily knocked out electricity to around 1,500 residents in the village.
Investigators were able to trace the cause of the fire to the fish dropped by the bird after catching it in a river about three kilometers from the site. According to officials, the bird likely dropped its catch due to fatigue in the sweltering heat, or the sheer size of the fish.
In a Facebook post, Ashcroft Fire Rescue included images of a charred fish found at the ignition point.
"The suspect osprey has been caught and is being held in custody for questioning," the force quipped. "The judge has not granted bail as the suspect poses an extreme….flight risk!"
Though the fire burned for only a fraction of an acre, the rapid response prevented escalation. Ranchers and BC Hydro staff pitched in to help contain flames and restore power. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
This peculiar episode underscores just how unpredictable nature can be, and how even seemingly trivial events can trigger unexpected consequences. The chain reaction — from a fish to fire — serves as a remarkable anomaly in fire‑risk narratives.
