The Comox Valley Regional District says they will be issuing the same fire ban as the BC Wildfire Service tomorrow afternoon.
After noon, campfires will be prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. That includes all provincial parks, crown land and private property.
To reduce risks more in the area, a smoking ban has also been issued in all CVRD electoral area community parks, and the beach fires program at Goose Spit will be suspended until further notice.
“Wildfire conditions in the Comox Valley continue to rise and it’s important to take the necessary steps in reducing that risk,” said Oyster River Fire chief Bruce Green.
“The CVRD and our regional partners are adhering with BC Wildfire Service’s direction, and we strongly encourage residents to follow these restrictions as well.”
The campfire ban does not apply to cooking stoves and portable campfire devices that use gas, propane or briquettes, as long as they are CSA or ULC approved, and the flame height is under 15 centimetres.
Courtenay Fire chief Kurt MacDonald reminds residents to call 911 if they see a fire, and that there is no safe area with the dry conditions.
“It’s basically the whole area. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small park in the centre of the City of Courtenay, or if it’s a large park on Forbidden Plateau,” said MacDonald. “We just need to public to make sure they are being safe.”
MacDonald adds they have had a lot of fires that have started in bark mulch, with most of them started by cigarettes. He says it is a fineable offence if people are caught disposing cigarettes unsafely.
Most of Vancouver Island is currently in high or extreme fire danger, according to BC Wildfire Service. The fire at Cameron Lake Bluffs is now at an estimated 140 hectares, with Highway 4 closed in both directions.
