Delta police have stepped up patrols in area parks, beaches and Burns Bog due to the high fire risk and to ensure no unauthorized activities are taking place.
Municipal officials temporarily closed five Delta parks last week due to the extreme fire danger rating in the area and the continued hot and dry weather conditions. The parks include: Boundary Bay Park Reserve, North 40 Park Reserve, Cougar Canyon Nature Reserve, Delta Nature Reserve and Watershed Park. Residents are asked to monitor delta. ca for updates on when the parks will re-open.
Violators who fail to comply with the park closures or are found in parks after dark may be charged under Delta bylaws, which carry fines ranging from $75 to $200.
Police and the municipality are urging residents to use caution as fires can start quickly and can challenge fire suppression efforts.
"Use caution when smoking. Cigarettes and matches should be extinguished before disposal and placed in either a metal or glass receptacle," states a Delta police news release. "Smoking is prohibited in all Delta parks and open spaces. Discarding cigarettes from a vehicle or onto the ground creates unnecessary risk and anyone found doing so may be charged under Delta's bylaw, which carries a fine of $175.
"Delta police echo the Corporation of Delta's request for visitors to parks and facilities in Delta to exercise caution and obey posted signs and fire danger guidelines."
Metro Vancouver is also reminding residents of the extreme fire danger rating.
All regional parks located within Metro Vancouver remain open, with two exceptions: a section of the Delta-South Surrey Regional Greenway adjacent to Delta's Watershed Park and Sumas Mountain.
