Local fire crews also deal with numerous backyard fire calls despite prohibition of backyard burns

By Steve Hubrecht
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Local fire crews have been busy in recent weeks.

On the afternoon of Monday, July 26, the Windermere Fire Department responded to a reported grass fire. When firefighters arrived on scene just before 1:30 p.m., they found not a grass fire but a hayfield on fire.

Leaping into action with two pieces of machinery, the seven firefighters on hand quickly extinguished the blaze.

Upon investigation, the cause of the fire was determined to be not negligent or suspicious in nature but simply a hot piece of farm equipment.

The fire crew extended a big ‘thank you’ to bystanders who swiftly reported the fire, allowing the firefighters to respond before the blaze became big.

Aside from the hayfield fire, the Columbia Valley rural fire and rescue service has been fielding numerous calls in the past several weeks about backyard fires – which are currently prohibited in the Columbia Valley and indeed right across B.C.

 “Most of these calls come late at night and are creating a drain on our volunteers as well as creating a burden on our fire dispatch centre in Kelowna already dealing with an unprecedented season. Sadly, many of these calls could be avoided with neighbourly communication prior to the dispatch of fire departments and RCMP,” said Columbia Valley rural fire and rescue service deputy chief Drew Sinclair in a press release. “While some of the calls end up being the permitted portable propane fires, many are not, and we need people to start taking the fire conditions seriously.”

B.C. has declared a Provincial State of Emergency in response to the wildfire situation across the province, which currently involves hundreds of active fires and which has left much of B.C. under a thick haze of smoke.

“If you are thinking of having a fire, the message is very clear: don’t do it,” said Sinclair.

All backyard fires, fireworks and other open burning are prohibited in B.C. However, portable propane campfires are still allowed at thes moment, although they must be Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and unlimited liability corporation (ULC) approved. The flame height must not exceed 15 centimetres.

Fines for those breaking the restrictions can be up to $100,000 plus the cost of all firefighting operations if the fire gets out of control.

For the latest information on restrictions, visit www.bcwildfire.ca.