Following weeks of hot, dry weather, the Coastal Fire Centre implemented a partial ban Thursday, Aug. 4 from southern Vancouver Island to Squamish.
Open fires are banned within the District of Squamish except in licensed campgrounds or supervised backyards, and campfires are prohibited in public places such as dykes, riverbanks and beaches.
"The fire danger rating is currently high throughout much of the Coastal Fire Centre," stated a Coastal Fire news release. "There have been 83 coastal wildfires to date this season; all 83 were person-caused and preventable."
The campfire ban will remain in effect until further notice, but it does not restrict the use of liquid, gas or briquette-fuelled stoves that are manufactured for heating or cooking.
Residents are asked to call 911 immediately if they spot brush fires, or if there appears to be an abandoned campfire. "Fire officials are doing everything possible to reduce the risk of fire caused by human error but they need the public's help," stated a District of Squamish news release. "Every fire situation is a race against time. The sooner emergency response teams receive the call the more likely damage can be minimized." The current fire hazard rating within the District of Squamish is high and is expected to increase to extreme with continued hot and dry weather. Category 1 open fires are banned in select areas of the Coastal Fire Centre including Vancouver Island south of Campbell River, all Georgia Strait islands south of Hernando Island including the southern Gulf Islands and the Howe Sound islands, and the Chilliwack and Squamish Forest Districts. Category 1 fire restrictions prohibit the use of open fires that burn piled material less than one metre high and one metre wide, including campfires. The restriction also applies to certain BC Parks. More details can be found at www.bcparks.ca.
For more information, contact Squamish Fire Rescue at 604.898.9666. And to report a fire call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cell [email protected]
