With lots of snow still capping the Coastal Mountains, it's really easy for residents to ignore the warnings from area fire officials that this could be a devastating year for wildfires in this region.
It could also be dangerous perhaps even fatal.
老澳门六合彩开奖记录资料 baked in unseasonable heat this week as fires caused the evacuation of Gold Bridge and Tyaughton Lake residents. As of Thursday (June 4), the fire had enveloped over 850 hectares of forests. It is believed to be human-caused, though the exact cause is under investigation.
There is currently a moderate to high fire danger rating in B.C. Forest service's Coastal Fire Centre. There are currently no campfire bans or forest use restrictions in effect for the Coastal Fire Centre. But Fire Chief Ray Saurette is warning residents to be careful.
Officials are particularly worried about the coming fire season, however, and with good reason. Our string of winters with below-average moisture continued this year, despite the late storms that added to the scenic snowpack. In addition, forecasters believe that we could be in for a hotter-than-usual summer.
But there are other reasons to be concerned about the possibility of serious fires this year.
The first concern is that residents, lulled by last year's relatively mild fire season, will not take the recommended precautions and become complacent. According to the Ministry of Forests, 60 per cent of forest fires are started by human activity.
So think twice before tossing that cigarette out of the car window and resist playing bumper cars with the tourists you see flick their ashes onto Highway 99.
"If you are going to be smoking outside, please dispense of your dispose of your cigarette butts in a responsible nature. Make sure it is completely put out," Saurette said.
We've all seen the Smokey the Bear giving his warnings but it is imperative that we all take seriously the recommendations of those who understand the fire dangers in this area best.
Equally important is to take precautions away from the home. There's not much that can be done about lightning strikes that are a cause a number of wildfires in the Sea to Sky Corridor, but there's a lot that can be done to prevent the numerous human-caused fires that often are the most damaging.
Campfires are exempt from the ban, officials said. However, open fires in Category 1 (fires piled no larger than one metre high and one metre wide) and Category 2 (no larger than two metres high and three metres wide), are prohibited until further notice.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, please call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks.
