Public Asked to Be Cautious as Fire Danger Increased
Prince George, B.C.- with numerous wildfires raging in the Prince George Fire Centre, the public is being asked to be extra careful in any outdoor activity.
Prince George Fire Rescue Chief, John Iverson says while his crew is not on any extra alert, “At this time, we are very aware of the conditions in the region, and of the wildfire risk. We are prepared should a situation develop in Prince George.”
Chief Iverson says there are simple things people can do to reduce the risk of sparking a fire, such as not tossing a cigarette butt out the window of a vehicle and refraining from setting off fireworks.
There are several areas in the City Limits which are popular for off road activities, Chief Iverson says ATV’s and UTV’s are supposed to be equipped with spark arrestors and that should help prevent the start of a grass or bush fire.
“We just ask that the public be aware of the dry conditions, and act responsibly.”
Prince George has done a great job over the years in reducing the amount of fire fuel, especially in the wake of the mountain pine beetle epidemic. Prescription treatments have also removed underbrush and deadfall from many regions in the City.
The word of caution is also being shared by the Regional District of Fraser Fort George which has volunteer fire departments in the rural communities which make up the Regional District. General Manager of Community Services, Donna Munt “We haven’t issued any alerts to the volunteer fire departments but in t hast we have distribute d to people some information on how to reduce the risk of fire. We encourage property owners to manage the space around their homes, removing the brush or deadfall, making sure there are no fire fuels within 30 meters of their home. We just ask that everyone be very cautious.”
Comments
Ash on my pickup this morning on the Hart.
Must be a large fire not to far away.
Was thinking the same thing – ash on my balcony down in the bowl around 15th and Tabor.
Working on a large fire in British Columbia and the results of cost cutting is very evident. From not enough hose to no Jet fuel caches laid out before hand, turned one fire in northern BC from 30 ha to over 10,000 ha due in large part as helicopters had to return all the way back to PG and into Alberta to borrow Jet fuel ….It’s only getting started we have had “crossover” (RH lower than temperature) for almost a week with dry lightning forecasted and continued dry weather.
Of course those directly involved (contractors) cannot say anything as that would be financial suicide but as a guy who has been in this business for 25 years the lack of preparation is obvious and cutting costs and hoping for rain is going to prove to be strategy that will cost British Columbians plenty.
Cautious? Like the people blowing off fireworks at Cluculz lake last night?
Terrible smokey….my eyes are just burning this morning!
Doesn’t blowing off fireworks violate the fire ban?
Who do you call to report violations?
911
“Hello, I am hearing load bangs like GUN fire.”
15 minutes, tops
“Prince George has done a great job over the years in reducing the amount of fire fuel”
Riiight! Just take a walk up the foothills side of Cranbrook hill, a heck of a lot of dry burnable stuff, and think about the campfire site at the top of the rock bluff.
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