Campfire ban set for Friday
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Updated: July 21, 2009 2:11 PM
With fire hazard rating at ‘high’, the District of Hope is taking a proactive step and banning all campfires within the community as of noon on Friday, July 24.
With fire-fighting resources stretched thin battling the Kelowna blaze, it is time for us to be very cautious, adds Hope Fire Chief Tom DeSorcy.
“The Ministry of Forest firefighters are going to be strapped for resources and we don’t need anymore calls right now.”
Weather conditions are hot and dry and no significant precipitation is expected for two weeks.
A coastal campfire ban is also set to implemented Friday, but municipalities with fire bylaws in place must announce and enforce their own ban.
DeSorcy says local campgrounds have been very cooperative with campfire bans and have expressed to him their own concerns over allowing campfires during extremely dry periods.
The ban also includes all private land within the District of Hope.
The ban will remain in place until further notice.
Lighting a campfire during a ban could cost you a ticket under the bylaw and if that fire should get away from you and the fire department is called in, you could be charged with all costs incurred by the district.
The fire hazard rating is “high” in most of the Chilliwack Forest District, including the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon.
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