Summer has finally arrived in the Lower Mainland and after the recent stretch of warm, dry weather, Delta raised its fire danger rating this week.
On Wednesday, the rating was raised to moderate.
An outdoor burning ban has been in place since last month.
On June 1, the fire chief cancelled all burning permits and prohibited all types of outdoor fires until further notice. The ban includes all areas of the municipality and campfires and open cooking (briquette and propane barbecues) in all Delta parks, with the exception of Metro Vancouver controlled fire pits in Deas Island Park and Boundary Bay regional parks.
As well, smoking is prohibited in all Delta parks.
The public is urged to exercise caution and remain on designated park trails to reduce the risk of accidental fires. Residents are asked to report any fires directly to 911 and any unauthorized activity that poses a risk of fire to the Delta Police Department's non-emergency line at 604-946-4411.
Here are a few tips to enjoy the hot weather and help prevent fires:
- Dispose of smoking materials properly, making sure they are completely extinguished.
- Don't leave barbecues unattended and ensure they are turned off properly after you have finished using them.
- Explain the dangers of playing with fire and lighting fires to children.
- Properly dispose of bottles and broken glass you find outdoors to avoid them magnifying the sun's rays and starting a fire.
For more information visit www.bcwildfire.ca.
