A Delta resident worried about wildfires has been told that the city is posting signs in its parks – just as Metro Vancouver parks is doing – warning people of the current state of danger.
Debbie Schmaltz said in a letter to Delta parks and Delta Fire and Emergency Services, that she’s anxious about the safety of local parks as the fire danger rating level moves to extreme.
“Recently, we have noticed at Deas Island (Regional) Park and Campbell Valley (Regional) Park that the GVRD has done a great job proactively erecting large signs at the entry of parks notifying park users of the fire dangers,” Schmaltz said. “With Watershed Park and Burns Bog being such valuable assets to our ecosystems and with their proximity to homes and highways, when will signage be erected and park staff mobilized to oversee the safety of the forest and the safety of our communities?”
Trent Reid, Delta’s parks and recreation general manager, replied that signs were to be installed at all of Delta’s heavily forested park areas.
“In addition to the fire department’s increased patrols, our bylaws and park patrol staff are also increasing their attention in our parks. Delta’s outside work crews have also been briefed on the situation and will be providing additional monitoring and support while we are in this stage of alert,” said Reid.
He pointed out that Burns Bog is closed to the public, and that both Metro Vancouver and city staff will monitor the area.
Delta moved to an extreme fire danger level rating on Tuesday, July 18.
Meanwhile, Metro Vancouver issued an advisory Friday (July 21) asking people to save water to reduce the chances of moving to Stage 2 of the Drinking Water Conservation Plan. At Stage 2, lawn watering is banned.
Under Stage 1, Metro Vancouver residents can only water one day a week, for two hours only on Saturday or Sunday. The advisory asked people to follow that policy or even stop watering their lawns altogether.
Metro Vancouver said reservoir levels are within normal range, but water consumption is up by more than 20 per cent, compared to the same period last year.
Residents can be fined up to $250 for each violation under Stage 1 of the water conservation plan.
Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan is a regional policy and manages water for about 2.8 million people.
