Two brush fires in one night highlights the need to help prevent fires during the dry conditions.
On Monday, a fire and smoking ban went into effect in all New Westminster parks, natural lands, and Glenbrook Ravine. Due to the hot and dry conditions in New Westminster, the city has banned smoking, charcoal or wood-burning barbecues, open fires and flames, candles or tiki torches, and chafing fuels in these areas.
Propane barbecues, grills and cooking devices are currently permitted. (Smoking and vaping are prohibited year-round in some parts of the city.)
Acting fire Chief Brad Davie said signage has been erected in New West parks to let folks know about the ban.
“The conditions are high, not extreme,” he told the Record Friday morning. “We expect them to cross over into extreme really soon.”
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services urges residents and visitors to local parks to do their part to prevent fires.
“We just want everybody to be really cautious in the parks; we love our parks. We have been pretty successful in putting out brush fires. We had two last night. We have been successful in putting them out, but it only takes one to get away on us,” Davie said. “We just really want to reduce the risk of human-caused fires. We ask everybody to be careful and everybody to report something as soon as they see it.”
New Westminster fire crews extinguished two brush fires on the evening of Thursday, July 19.
Davie said crews attended a small brush fire on River Drive.
That same evening, some posted photos on social media of a fire in the 100 block of Columbia Street (between Columbia and Front streets). Those photos showed flames and a plume of smoke near New West’s waterfront.
Davie said a fire inspector was expected to visit the sites on Friday to review the causes of the brush fires. No injuries were reported.
Some comments on social media suggested homeless encampments had been seen in the area where the Columbia Street fire occurred.
“That one is in an area … we do see encampments from time to time,” Davie said. “I can’t confirm whether there was one there last night or not.”
More to come.
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services advises community members to report any signs of smoke or fire by calling 911 immediately.
