Photo: contributed
With several small fires already burning in the Kelowna area over the past week, the Kelowna Fire Department is asking the public to be extra careful with cigarette butts and open flames.
“The public needs to be aware of the dry conditions right now. With the weather forecast, things aren’t going to change, they’re just going to get drier,” said Section Captain Scott Clarke.
“So if people can, please be careful about putting smoking materials in ashtrays, make sure they’re outside and don’t throw them in open areas where we could have a fire.”
The cause of a fire in West Kelowna that destroyed an RV earlier this week has been deemed “undetermined,” and there were two small fires in Kelowna on Friday. One appears to have been started by a discarded cigarette on Avenida del Comerç. The cause of another fire at Ballou Park was also said to be undetermined.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan also reminds people that smoking, vaping, burning or open flames are not permitted at any time in regional parks or RDCO Community Parks.
“If you see a fire in one of our parks, call 9-1-1 immediately to report it. Propane-fueled barbecues are permitted, but must be attended to and kept away from any flammable materials.” states an RDCO press release.
“It really doesn’t take long anymore. If you leave your car outside on a day like today and you get in and you can feel how hot this vehicle is, even to the touch on the outside of the car. It just shows you how hot it is.
“Our forests and our grasslands and wildlands absorb that heat and dry out quickly, the moisture doesn’t seem to stick,” says Clarke.
Fines for anyone who violates regional park or RDCO community park bylaws range from $250 to $1,000, but the greatest danger is the risk that smoking and open fires could cause a serious fire that threatens the parks, services and nearby residents and homes.