As the weekend and Canada Day approach, the BC government is urging people to use best practices for fire safety, as current conditions are dry and could lead to increased wildfire risk.
The Province is encouraging British Columbians to stay vigilant, and to stay up to date on local fire bans and restrictions. They also suggest having an emergency plan in place that is shared with friends and family, in case of a wildfire in their area.
For those going camping or out of town for the weekend, best practices include checking for road closures ahead of departure, as well as checking evacuation alerts, evacuation orders and any fire prohibitions that are in effect.
“British Columbia continues to face prolonged drought in many regions, and below-average precipitation is contributing to increased wildfire and water supply concerns,” said the Province in a media release.
“Everyone is encouraged to use water efficiently and follow any local watering restrictions.”
If you’re planning to have a campfire where it’s permitted, the Province says to make sure to choose a proper fire pit in windy conditions, or create a ring of rocks at least three metres from trees, shrubs, structures and debris. They added never to leave a campfire unattended.
The BC Wildfire Service is also putting out a call to action for those who may happen upon a wildfire during their weekend travels—anyone who sees smoke or flames, is asked to report it immediately by calling *5555 on a cellphone or 1 800 663-5555, toll-free.
Currently on Vancouver Island, the drought conditions are rated as a one in the southern regions and a two in the north. This severity scale ranges from zero to five, five being more severe.
As of this publication, there is just one active wildfire on the island that has been burning since June 8th.
It is located on the slopes of Nahmint Mountain, around 30 kilometres west of Port Alberni. This wildfire has been deemed as under control by the BC Wildfire Service, meaning it is not likely to spread beyond its perimeter.
Campfires are permitted on Vancouver Island and within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, but some municipalities and regions may have differing fire bans that do not allow for campfires.
Saanich, for example, does not permit wood campfires any time of year, only propane campfires are permitted.
Following Friday, June 27th, the weather in Victoria will be on the rise, peaking at 25°C on Sunday, and remaining around 24°C through until Canada Day.
