WILDFIRES – Nature parks and trails will remain open during high fire danger
Peterson Creek Park. (Image: Armchair Mayor photo)
Nature parks and nature trails will remain open during extreme fire danger periods this year. Historically, these areas have been closed to reduce traffic in high-risk nature zones and to preserve firefighting resources.
The City says the decision to leave them open was made after considering concerns voiced by residents and parks user groups, recognizing the role of public vigilance in parks during times of heightened fire risk.
In the event of an interface fire in the community or a wildfire encroaching on municipal boundaries, parks and trails near the active fire zone will be closed to the public, a City news release says.
“This measure is essential to ensuring public safety and concentrating resources on emergency response, including heavy equipment and aerial support. Details regarding park closures will be communicated promptly if such an incident occurs.
“The public plays an important role in fire prevention by staying aware, reporting fires immediately, keeping all vehicles and bikes away from dry areas, and obeying the Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 10-37, which prohibits open fires in City parks or natural spaces, including beaches.”
Residents are being reminded that smoking is always prohibited in all City parks and walking trails. Given current drought conditions and our typical summer heat, residents are asked to be extremely cautious with smoking materials in all areas of the city and only use designated containers to dispose of cigarettes, matches, and other smoking-related materials.
To report park misuse, such as smoking, campfires, and unauthorized vehicles, residents can call Community Services at 250-828-3409 and state the time and park location. If a fire is suspected, the public is asked to immediately call 911 or *5555 on a mobile device.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
A slow-learning (after sending many pieces of communication on that very point) entity that finally made a sensible decision recognizing the role of public vigilance in parks during times of heightened fire risk.
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Finally a cogent decision from the city. Last year they made ridiculous associations to trail users – that they are smokers flinging butts without a care, as if a smoker is fit enough to hike and bike those trails. A nanny municipality as it were, but directed at the wrong crowd.
Meanwhile doing nothing to address the pressing fire risks present at illegal encampments found throughout the city.
Boy do I feel safe after the fire chief removed the burnt shell of a vehicle off the mayor’s car lot, but lets propane tanks stand in front of city hall. A crackhead burnt the church as well. No repercussions or statements to mitigate those risks.
Make it make sense.
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Yes, Bill, the community was much safer once that old car had been towed away. As much political milage as possible was made of it.
Then, less than 24 hours later, the same person was racing to a structure fire only a couple of blocks to the east and across the street.
Maybe the derelict rooming house was just too big for it to be towed.
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