As, I’m sure you are aware, there has been a burning ban the past few months in our area.

During the hot weather, when we had a little relief in the temperatures and, occasionally, we were blessed with a day of rain, many thought that it should be ok to have a fire.

This was not acceptable since the tinder dry grass and forests were barely affected by the minor rainfall.

Now that the weather is cooler and people are anxious to proceed with fall clean up, there seems to be some confusion regarding the ban. Well, I did some homework for all of us, so here goes.

At the present time, all bans have been lifted. Now, that doesn’t mean that we can go crazy

with fires. It means that we can have a fire provided that we use all the care and caution necessary to control it.

There are three sizes of fire, each of which requires our specific attention. A Category 1 fire would include a campfire or back yard fire not exceeding one metre across by one metre high. Category 2 and 3 fires are progressively larger and require additional attention.

Since these large fires present the additional threat of dangerously high levels of smoke, a person contemplating this activity

must check the environmental conditions at the same time.

This measurement is known as a venting index and it is found online at www.bcairquality.ca and it forecasts the outcome of mixing huge amounts of smoke with current atmospheric condition and how this will impact the inhabitants in that area.

To some of us, this sounds like a hit-

and-miss proposition so our best bet would likely be to make a phone call to the authorities to get the correct interpretation for the day.

The numbers to call for clarification in your situation are 250-989-2628 or 1-888-3FOREST.

These people

are willing and available to help us and

we should not

hesitate to use this resource.

Speaking with our fire chief in Forest Grove, Bob Felker, it confirmed my thoughts that, even though we have

cooler nights than in the recent past, and even though we have had some rain, we

are not out of the weeds yet.

The warm, dry days still provide the right conditions to bring disaster to

the Cariboo.

Bullseye

Reneé Lablanc informs me that darts will begin flying at the Forest Grove Legion on Sept. 26 at 3 p.m.

If you don’t have any darts, go get some and get involved. Reneé says that the program is called Drop-In Darts; you don’t have to be a pro to go there and enjoy the game.

If you don’t feel confident enough to go, take your new darts behind the barn where no one can see you and fire them against the barn door. You know you can do it…Just do it.

Cribbage capers

Sally Keleher tells me that, every Friday night starting at 8pm, they enjoy a great round of cribbage at Forest Grove.

They would be pleased to see some newcomers so grab your cards and your visors and keep Friday evening free.

Actually, the cards and visors are optional.

Walk about

Did you know that Forest Grove has a walking group?

No kidding — and they have fun doing it.

It, being walking, is a year-round

activity and involves gentle effort on your part, for a couple of hours, around the local area.

They meet every Monday for this stroll and it ends up at the Forest Grove Fire

Hall at 11 a.m. where coffee is served; so, bring a bag lunch and some change

for donation for the coffee.

Curling blues

Sorry it’s darts, cribbage or walking for us this year.

The refrigeration equipment used

for making the ice for a curling surface

is ill.

The doctors say that this problem will not be resolved this winter but, hopefully, with a couple of successful fundraisers, next year will be more promising.

Marshall Keleher is hoping to get involved with

fundraising this year; so, if you hear

of it, get out there and support the cause. Or call him; he could probably use some help.

Thought for the week: Did you know that, if it weren’t for Venetian blinds, it would be curtains for all of us?

v2