Fire danger 'extreme' in regional parks across Metro Vancouver
The fire danger rating in Metro Vancouver regional parks has been elevated to extreme, the regional authority announced Wednesday.
"After weeks of unrelenting heat and no precipitation, regional green spaces are tinder dry and extremely sensitive to sparks and fire," Metro Vancouver said in a news release.
"Warm, sunny and dry conditions are expected to continue through the week and long weekend, with forecasted temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s and no significant rainfall predicted for the next week."
The regional body asked people to use caution when visiting regional parks, which it said remain open for now, but could be closed, if necessary, with the help of local fire authorities.
Metro Vancouver said it will "increase patrols and step-up enforcement" while the fire danger rating in regional parks is extreme.
"Those found engaging in high-risk, prohibited activities could be subject to fines ranging from $500 to $10,000," the authority said.
To help prevent fires and ensure parks remain open, Metro Vancouver asked visitors to stay on designated trails, comply with posted signs, refrain from smoking except in designated areas, and refrain from lighting campfires or using briquette barbecues or stoves.
Propane barbecues and gas cooking stoves can be used under certain circumstances, but only if the municipality in which the park is located has not banned such equipment.
Anyone who spots a wildfire in a regional park should call 911 to report it and alert park staff, Metro Vancouver said.
Several municipalities around the region have also raised the fire danger rating to extreme in public parks in their jurisdictions, and some local governments have implemented bans on barbecues.
According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the fire danger rating is either high or extreme across nearly all of Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the Southern Interior.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
opinion Harry and Meghan's Nigerian adventure: traditional attire to warm welcomes
For her latest column on CTVNews.ca, royal commentator Afua Hagan writes about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria, calling it a 'deeply meaningful campaign' that was about aligning their ongoing efforts to foster mental-health awareness and promoting the Invictus Games.
Ontario's need for nurses, PSWs to top 33K and 50K by 2032: document
Ontario will need 33,200 more nurses and 50,853 more personal support workers by 2032, the government projects — figures it tried to keep secret but were obtained by The Canadian Press.
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
'It happened so fast': Evacuees describe fleeing Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire
Thousands have been forced to flee a wildfire burning near Fort Nelson. Meanwhile, some experienced volunteers are staying behind to fight the fire.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
U.S. schools turn to artificial intelligence to spot guns as companies press lawmakers for state funds
Kansas could soon offer up to US$5 million in grants for schools to outfit surveillance cameras with artificial intelligence systems that can spot people carrying guns. But the governor needs to approve the expenditures and the schools must meet some very specific criteria.