The Capital Regional Distract may soon lose its last legal place to build a beach fire.
The District of Metchosin is considering banning beach fires on Taylor and Weirs Beach, the last two in the CRD where the seaside campfires are still allowed. Metchosin Coun. Moralea Milne said a drastic increase in the number of such fires following bans across every other municipality in Greater Victoria precipitated a committee recommendation to ban the fires outright.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a matter of over population,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f there is only two people doing them, itB次元官网网址檚 maybe a small impact, but with a beach fire ban across the CRD it has become an impossible situation.B次元官网网址�
The two beaches currently donB次元官网网址檛 require permits for fires less than two feet in diameter. They must be at least 10 feet away from logs and 20 feet from fences or structures, must be extinguished by midnight and can only be set when no provincial campfire ban is in effect. Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop said the increased fires have brought a number of unwelcome consequences.
B次元官网网址淭he struggle comes when people donB次元官网网址檛 obey the rules,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f everyone obeys B次元官网网址� beach fires wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be (as much of) an issue, but that is not the case. Because weB次元官网网址檙e the only one that allows them right now, there are lots of beach fires.B次元官网网址�
Major issues include the burning of pallets and bottles instead of firewood, she said, which leave behind a trail of nails and broken glass in the sand where children and pets may walk barefoot. Then thereB次元官网网址檚 the improper burning of logs from the beach, unextinguished fires leaving hot patches beneath the sand that can burn bare feet, and the increase of garbage, Dunlop added.
Milne said a one-day clean up she took part in on Taylor Beach saw volunteers pick up more than 20 pounds of nails from beach fires. And with volunteer firefighters now patrolling the beaches, she said, having to deal with unextinguished fires puts a greater strain on the fire coverage. B次元官网网址淲e have a terrific fire department, but they donB次元官网网址檛 need more work to do.B次元官网网址�
While many people enjoy beach fires responsibly, Milne said, she doesnB次元官网网址檛 see another way to curtail the issues exacerbated by potential environmental impacts.
B次元官网网址淭he two beaches are homeland for forage fish; little fish like the Pacific sand lance and the surf smelt who lay their eggs on the beach. This habitat is being destroyed by all the fires. For many reasons, not the least of which is danger (to the public), I believe we have to stop.B次元官网网址�
