How to be Fire Safe this Summer in BC

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 — 2:06pm PDT

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This Friday campfires will be banned in all BC Parks due to the dry conditions of forest timber. The ban includes most of Vancouver Island, except a two-kilometre stretch along the island’s outer coast, and spans the mainland from the Lower Mainland to the Coast Mountains [CBC News].

Whistler to Vancouver the long way: August 2009

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

It should also be noted that the risk of forest fires exists not only in campgrounds and Provincial recreation areas, but in our local parks and backyards as well. It seems as though each summer there is a small fire in a hollowed out stump in Stanley Park due to a discarded cigarette butt or attempted camp fire.

Here’s how you can be fire safe locally and around the Province:

Mow your lawn and prune hanging trees regularly

Avoid accumulations of yard debris, junk, building materials and other combustible items around your property

Avoid having backyard bonfires during the hot summer months

Do not smoke and do not discard cigarette butts in parks (this ban is already in place at Lighthouse Park)

Only have BBQs in designated park areas or cleared areas of your patio or yard

Friday’s ban on the South Coast and Vancouver Island includes campfires, fireworks, tiki torches and burning barrels

If you see something smoking or smoldering in the forest, you can report it right away by calling *5555 (mobile) or 1-800-663-5555.

Useful links:
Current forest fire danger rating
Current forest fires
Recreation Sites and Trails BC
BC Forest Fire Information – FireSafe BC

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