As fire restrictions go into effect today (June 23) in the Coastal Fire Centre, the Delta Fire Department is reminding residents of the potential dangers of improper and illegal fires.
Effective at noon today, along the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, which covers approximately the southwest corner of the province, anything larger in height or width than a 0.5 metre campfire is prohibited.
These yearly fire bans are put in place by the province in the hopes of reducing the risk of wildfires.
Here in Delta, not much will change as there is already a no open burning policy in place.
It’s really only farmers who will be prohibited from burning debris from their fields, says Deputy Fire Chief Dave Wood, which they would have done with permits.
These burn permits will no longer be given out, however, says Wood.
“We try to just educate people more so than go the punitive route,” said Wood about responding to burn complaints.
However, the news release put out by the B.C. government says that anyone found violating the prohibition in the Coastal Fire Centre region could face anything from a $1,150 to $100,000 fine or a one-year jail sentence.
Wood encourages the public to keep an eye on the sign boards throughout Delta indicating the fire danger rating, which he says will be moving to ‘moderate’ this week.
“I would assume, with the weather, that we will move quite rapidly over the next three or four weeks into an ‘extreme’ level by mid-summer for sure,” he said, adding residents should also keep an eye on the Delta Fire Department’s social media channels for any further updates.
In their news release, the provincial government also highlights how using fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels, cages and air curtain burners will also be prohibited.
“As everything dries out, it becomes more susceptible to sparks and small sources of ignition,” said Wood.
Because of this, he wants to remind Delta residents to be mindful of where you’re tossing your cigarettes, as it’s quite common for him to see roadside fires caused by a careless flick of the fingers.
