The spike in the number of wildfires in the Lower Mainland and B.C.'s Interior is prompting Tri-City emergency response officials — and the public — to be on guard.
Today, July 17, with 157 wildfires burning across the province, of which a third are deemed "out of control," the City of Port Coquitlam issued an alert to remind residents about the summer fire risks as the mercury is expected to reach 29°C on Saturday, July 20:
- no open-air burning is allowed in Port Coquitlam parks, natural areas and backyards
- including campfires, open fires, wood-burning barbecues, fire pits and appliances
- but propane barbecues are allowed in most city parks
- except at all-weather turf fields, such as Gates Park
As forested parks and trails are especially vulnerable with trees able to spread fires quickly, Tri-City fire crews and bylaw officers are out to watch for human-caused fires, burning and smoking bylaw infractions. Fines rise to $500 in the summer.
Currently, more than two dozen B.C. communities, including Whistler and in the Howe Sound, are under active heat warnings because of the hot and dry weather.
B.C. wildfires
According to the BC Wildfire Service, there are two active Lower Mainland wildfires deemed "under control:"
- one by the Vedder River in Chilliwack
- one northwest of Waleach Lake by Agassiz
On Monday, July 15, Bowinn Ma, B.C.’s Emergency Management and Climate Readiness minister, said at a news conference that Ottawa will send reinforcements to the province to bolster about 2,000 personnel with the BC Wildfire Service.
Last week, B.C.’s Transportation Minister said via X (formerly known as Twitter) that drivers shouldn’t stop on highways or roads to gaze at the “visual distraction” of the wildfires.
'High' fire rating
In Coquitlam and Port Moody, where the fire risk is rated “high,” there’s wildland/urban interface land on Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau and Heritage Mountain.
This year, as part of its pre-season wildfire training, the Coquitlam Fire/Rescue Service added personnel to its Structure Protection Units. In the spring, the municipality also offered free wood chipping to property owners close to forests.
Here are some tips from the City of Coquitlam to “fire-proof” your home:
- keep combustible materials at least 1.5 m from your home, and piles of firewood at least 10 m away
- ensure your roof and gutters free of leaves and pine needles, and prune all branches that hang over the roof
- choose fire-safe vegetation, and space it so that there is no continuous line of vegetation leading to your structure
- remove all dead/dry vegetation and trim tree limbs two to three metres from the ground
- choose non-combustible roofing, building and landscape materials
- know where the gas, electric and water shut-offs are in your home, and have a wildfire escape plan in place
📣 SOUND OFF: What have you done to protect your home from wildfire? Send us your comments for publication via [email protected].
