Nearly all of Metro Vancouver has moved the fire danger rating to “extreme” as a heat wave continues to scorch the Lower Mainland.
The exception is Richmond, which is currently rated as “high.” Many municipalities increased their fire rating Friday, including Vancouver and Delta.
"Our fires are up substantially since April,” says Delta’s deputy fire chief Ken Sim. “Things are tinder dry. When there are those conditions along with wind factors, this poses a potential threat that increases the danger rating.”
As the BC Wildlife Service battles more than 150 active fires -- including in Nanaimo and Sechelt – the province announced that as of noon on Friday all campfires are banned.
Fireworks and all other open fires are also prohibited, according to a media release from Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson.
The prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. Campfires will still be permitted in the “Fog Zone” area of western Vancouver Island, from Owen Point to the northern tip of Vancouver Island.
The campfire ban follows “unseasonably hot and dry weather” across B.C., notes the release, and will continue for the foreseeable future. Fines for violating the fire ban begin with a $345 ticket.
The Metro Vancouver region entered stage two of water restrictions on Friday. The restriction further limits water usage, including lawn sprinkling regulations.
Watering lawns is now permitted only in the morning, states the Metro Vancouver media release. Watering flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees is still permitted.
