Rising temperatures and dry weather conditions have increased the wildfire risk, which has the city of Coquitlam clamping down on residents who may not be adhering to burning and smoking bylaws.
Anyone caught smoking in a park or contravening the outdoor burning ban will face fines of up to $500, while people caught littering cigarette butts will also receive a $150 fine.
The warning from the city comes after a wildfire broke out in Deep Cove Wednesday night. Coquitlam Fire/Rescue said they have also had to extinguish two wildfires earlier this week.
“One was caused by an abandoned camp fire and the most recent a result of downed power lines due to high winds,” the city said in a press release.
Port Moody Fire Chief Ron Coulson is also warning people to be cautious during the next few weeks of warm, dry weather.
Some of his firefighters have found small blazes started by cigarette butts and illegal camp fires in the forests and beaches around the community, he said.
“There continues to be a select few that don’t realize the risk,” Coulson added.
He said residents in neighbourhoods that back on to forested areas or green space should be particularly vigilant.
“The closer you are to the forest’s edge… the more cognizant our community needs to be,” he said. “The term we use is ‘hardening.’ They need to be hardening their property against the spread of wildfire.”
That means gathering and removing any debris or cuttings near homes that could fuel a potential blaze, he added.
“Our expectation is the community will move up with the fire danger rating,” he said, later adding: “The risk is always there, especially when the forest is dry and we get into that extreme danger rating. We are not there yet, and we are hoping to avoid that.”
Smoke from wildfires in Washington State and Oregon have been drifting into the Lower Mainland for the last few days.
The poor air quality has prompted warnings from the BC Centre for Disease Control and Metro Vancouver as fine particular matter and ground-level ozone blanket the region.
What can you do to prevent fires?
• Do not have any open fires or conduct outdoor burning.
• Relocate flammable debris or firewood at least 10 m away from your home.
• Be aware when moving your lawn that if the blade comes into contact with a rock, it can cause a spark and ignite a fire.
• Ensure your vehicle’s exhaust does not emit onto a dry lawn.
• Reduce the amount of fuel present around your homes; prune shrubs, remove dead and dry vegetation and tree limbs 2-3 metres from the ground.
• Break up continuous vegetation and space so there is no continuous canopy or line of vegetation leading to your home.
• Keep the roof and gutters clear of dead needles; prune branches that hang over the roof.
-City of Coquitlam
