The ban on outdoor fires is in full effect on Bowen Island and heading into its fourth week, is rated as “high” on the scale of risk. Bowen Island Fire Department Chief Ian Thompson says that there have been no fires to fight this summer.
“No outdoor fires at all are permitted at this time,” says Thompson. “A few weeks back, there were a couple days of rain but that wasn’t enough to make it safe for fires and there were a number of people who thought that maybe it was.”
Thompson says that the south side of the island, near the Cape Roger Curtis, is pushing “extreme” on the risk scale.
“This area is most susceptible to fires because it is the driest and experiences winds that could easily blow a spark that might catch on the dry grasses in the area and cause a wildfire.”
Last year, the fire department had to put out a major wild fire at the Cape in April.
“People really need to be smart and safe,” says Thompson. “Last week there was an incident out at Grafton Lake where someone fell off the rope swing. On the way to the site of the accident, there were cigarette butts everywhere.”
Thompson adds that there is currently no end in sight to this fire ban, as it will take prolonged and heavy rains to bring the risk level down.
