Warm weather increases fire danger
Acting fire chief Vince Cullen, left, firemen Dave Bremner and Brent Winkler are reminding residents to be cautious with the extremely dry conditions in Victoria.
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Updated: July 22, 2009 12:43 PM
Local fire departments are acutely aware of the threat of fire in Victoria, especially in light of recent blazes in Saanich and Kelowna.
“A fire can occur anywhere, even in a residential lot,” said Esquimalt fire department assistant chief Ian Booth.
Deputy fire chief Paul Bruce said the region isn’t threatened like Langford or Saanich because Victoria doesn’t have the same number of undeveloped open spaces.
But the Victoria fire department is ready to assist bordering municipalities like Saanich if necessary.
Saanich firefighters have battled a series of blazes this week, most recently the wildfire between Hector Road and Prospect Lake.
Victoria has had an average daily temperature of 24 C this month. The highest daily temperature peaked at 29 C July 11.
Only 7.5 millimetres of rain has fallen so far this month. The average rainfall in July is closer to 20 millimetres.
“Any dry bush areas can be a problem. Even patches of grass in people’s lawns if they haven’t cut them down,” Booth said.
Bruce said beach fires are the biggest concern in Victoria. His crews douse flames nightly on Dallas Road.
“Due to the dry weather and the quick spread of fire ... that could potentially jeopardize that whole area,” he said. Clover point has plenty of dry grass, as does the area surrounding Beacon Hill Park which he said is an area of concern for Victoria.
Bruce said some people are unaware of the dangers, or they light fires on the beach because they are homeless. Others just want to enjoy their evening on the beach.
Booth said mulch around plants and trees burns easily when dry. People should be aware of flicking burning cigarettes out their car windows in parking lots and roadsides.
To reduce fires caused by people, a campfire restriction comes into place at noon today (July 24) in the coastal fire region.
The ban will be in place until substantial rainfall reduces the threat of wildfires.
lweighton@vicnews.com
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