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Flares used in Greater Victoria training exercise prompt 911 call

A training exercise created an orange glow in the sky Monday night
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Flares created an orange glow in the sky near Victoria Monday night. (Rebecca Wilde/Black Press)

Greater Victoria residents may have seen a large, orange glow in the sky Monday night, prompting some to call 911.

Colwood Fire Rescue noted one caller was convinced there was a forest fire near the area of Royal Roads University.

But, according to Cpt. Scott Abrahamson, the call was likely linked to flares used in search and rescue exercises that were taking place around the same time.

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Abrahamson said Colwood Fire Rescue investigated the call anyway and did not find anything of concern.

“But we would rather take the precautions and attend the calls than not,” Abrahamson added.

Images from Monday night show large flares lighting up the sky over Esquimalt Harbour, creating a flame-like glow in the clouds. Some Facebook users said they were able to see the flares from Triangle Mountain while others said they could see them from Metchosin.

RELATED: Victoria elementary students shake it out for earthquake preparedness

shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com


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