Extreme fire hazard rating in effect July 31, smoking ban in effect

July 30, 2010 (No. 38) - The fire hazard rating for Vancouver parks will move from high to extreme on Saturday, July 31. The elevated hazard rating follows several weeks of warm, dry conditions.

Effective July 31, the following precautions will be in place:

• No smoking in parks or on trails
• No charcoal or wood burning barbecues
• Stay on trails

Propane barbecues are permitted provided they are more than 76 centimetres (30 inches) off the ground and not resting on grass or wood, such as a picnic table or log.

Park visitors should take precautions to prevent accidental fires and be alert to signs of fire or smoke:

Campfires are not permitted at any time in any of Vancouver’s parks or beaches
Report any signs of smoke or fire by calling 9-1-1 immediately
Watch for fire hazard signs (located in heavily wooded Stanley, Everett Crowley and Jericho parks) and additional fire safety information posted in parks and on the Park Board web site (vancouverparks.ca)

Over the busy long weekend the Vancouver Park Board is providing additional patrols of heavily forested parks such as Stanley, Jericho and Everett Crowley.

This smoking ban precedes a permanent smoking ban that comes into effect September 1, 2010.

The Park Board works together with Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services and Metro Vancouver Regional District to provide a coordinated approach to fire prevention, suppression, preparation and protections for Vancouver’s urban forests and parks. Maintenance staff and Park Rangers are vigilant in keeping our parks fire safe. Fire prevention, however, is everyone’s responsibility.

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For more information contact Barb Floden, Communications Coordinator,
at (t) 604-257-8438 or (c) 604-992-5646

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.