A wet spring has turned to a tinder-dry summer, triggering Colwood to ban all backyard fires, likely for the remainder of the summer.
Colwood was still allowing backyard burning in chimneas, but issued a ban on Tuesday after the Ministry of Forests rated the south Island forest fire risk as B次元官网网址渉igh.B次元官网网址�
Residents are still permitted to have gas fires for barbecues, just no fires of any kind with the potential to spread sparks.
B次元官网网址淐himneas can get good and hot and there is a potential for sparks,B次元官网网址� said Colwood bylaw enforcement manager Kevin Atkinson. B次元官网网址淭he big fear is for a spark to land in a tree or brush.B次元官网网址�
The fine for a fire is $200 and Atkinson said there will be no warnings given.
Colwood fire Chief Russ Cameron said a B次元官网网址渉ighB次元官网网址� fire rating is normal for this time of year, although it may catch people off guard due to the wet and seemingly extended spring.
B次元官网网址淭his is the normal routine, but this year it has come quickly,B次元官网网址� Cameron said. B次元官网网址淚t may surprise some people because itB次元官网网址檚 been so wet and cold, but the wind has dried things out quite a bit.
B次元官网网址淭he fire department appreciates all the co-operation from residents with the warm weather.B次元官网网址�
The main area of concern in Colwood is the forest covering the majority of the Royal Roads University property.
B次元官网网址淭here is a lot of greenspace in Colwood and Royal Roads is the jewel,B次元官网网址� Atkinson said. B次元官网网址淚f a fire started in there it would take quite a while to get on top of that.B次元官网网址�
Beach fires
Colwood banned all backyard rubbish burning and beach fires in 2008, although chimneas and other manufactured outdoor wood burning fireplaces are allowed during cooler weather.
Cameron said callouts for backyard and beach fire emergencies has dropped 85 per cent.
Colwood Fire Rescue crews use to attend 40 to 50 beach fire incidents on the Coburg peninsula each year, with each trip costing the City money and resources.
B次元官网网址淭here has been overwhelming co-operation from residents,B次元官网网址� Cameron said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been huge for us.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淧eople are starting to get it,B次元官网网址� agreed Atkinson. B次元官网网址淐alls to the beach have dropped dramatically.B次元官网网址�
Burning on the West Shore
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
