Mission’s tree farm has closed until further notice due to the risk of wildfire with the hot and dry spell affecting B.C.
Mission Fire Rescue Chief Mark Goddard says the current fire-danger rating is extreme, forest fuels are very dry and there is serious risk of rapid spread should a fire occur.
He ordered Tree Farm 26 to close yesterday, July 27, and restrict access except for campers in registered sites.
“If a fire occurs up there it puts everyone at risk,” said Goddard, adding that extreme caution should always be used around the city’s green spaces, as dry vegetation is fuel for a fire.
Campfires are currently banned in the province, which includes any outdoor stove or portable-campfire apparatus that lacks a rating from the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or the Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC).
Missionites are being encouraged to sign up for the city’s Alertable App which provides emergency alerts from local authorities should a fire occur.
Goddard said smoking materials should be soaked in water before disposal, and never thrown into flower planters, peat moss, lawns or gardens.
“A deep, wide, and sturdy metal container with a lid, should be used. It should be filled partway with sand or water, and emptied regularly.”
More information on the fire ban can be found here. To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a mobile phone.
“We can all do our part by ensuring we follow the latest regulations and fire bans, carefully extinguish smoking materials, keep off-roading vehicles out of the forests, and not using bear bangers unless necessary.”
RELATED: Emergency response plans being created for Mission neighbourhoods following Lytton fire
@portmoodypigeon
patrick.penner@missioncityrecord.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.