Summer Weather Raises Urban Fire Hazards
30 June 2006
Richmond residents are being urged to take precautions against rising fire hazards caused by hot, dry summer weather. Open burning fires at Richmond parks and beaches are prohibited, in accordance with the Fire Prevention Bylaw.
This means the public is no longer allowed to have beach fires burning in Richmond parks and on beaches, unless written approval has been given by the Fire Chief. Changes to these regulations responds in a positive way to public complaints of open fires, reduces the safety risks to people, animals and property, and reinforces the City’s commitment to improve environmental management.
Although a beach fire can provide warmth and comfort to the user, it can also be a nuisance to the people living nearby and be dangerous if not managed properly. Beach fires contribute to poor air quality, damage vegetation, disrupt aquatic-based animals and their nesting habitat, and pollute waterways. The public may continue to use propane-fired barbeques to cook meals at the beach. Barbeques using briquettes or similar fuels are not permitted. Fire hazards on private property also pose some threats.
The amount of combustible materials and environments in urban residential areas means BC’s forests aren’t the only areas threatened by high fire hazards. Dry lawns, along with old growth trees, hedges, and the ground fuels beneath provide a huge supply of combustible material. These fuels are often found in close proximity to houses, fences and other combustible building materials. Taken in combination with the current dry weather, these conditions pose a significant high fire hazard.
Each summer, Richmond Fire Rescue responds to a number of potentially dangerous hedge and grass fires. Under hot, dry weather conditions, these type of fires can spread quickly and engulf homes and other property.
With long range weather trends pointing to hotter, dryer summers, the threat of fire will continue to grow in the future. That’s why Richmond Fire-Rescue Department urges residents to download and read a copy of the Fire Smart Program from the website: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/protect/
The booklet will provide a checklist and information to help residents work towards protecting their homes and making their neighbourhoods safer. Here are just a few of the many helpful tips:
- Store fire wood 10 metres or more from the house (avoid downslope location)
- Grass within 10 metres of buildings should be mowed and watered
- Propane tanks located at least 10 metres from buildings - clear all vegetation within 3 metres
- Contact your utility company if trees or branches are not clear of power lines
- Undersides of balconies, decks and crawlspaces sheathed in with flame resistant materials
For more information on fire safety visit http://www.richmond.ca/safety/firerescue/prevention/fire.htm or drop by Richmond’s No. 1 Fire Hall located at 6960 Gilbert Road, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
