Kamloops Fire Rescue asks residents to be cautious in green spaces amid dangerous fire conditions
KAMLOOPS — With further dry conditions and warmer temperatures expected, Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) is asking residents to be cautious in the city’s nature parks and grasslands and interface areas.
As of noon Thursday (May 29), the BC Wildfire Service’s danger rating shows high and extreme conditions near Kamloops, meaning new fires may start easily, spread rapidly and challenge fire suppression efforts.
The call via a news release issued Thursday comes as KFR battled an interface fire in Kenna Cartwright Park, a smaller landscape fire along Schubert Drive, structure fires near McArthur Island and Rayleigh and a fire on the beach on the North Shore, all within the last week.
Image credit: BC Wildfire Service“At this time of year, we are subject to thunderstorms, which also adds to our risk. BC Wildfire Services reviews and updates fire danger ratings daily based on weather station data,” Ryan Cail, KFR Deputy Fire Chief stated. “We all have a responsibility to do our part to help keep our neighbours and community safe. If you see something, report it.”
KFR encourages residents to safely dispose of cigarette butts and other smoking materials in proper containers, keep ATVs on approved roadways and keep a shovel and water source nearby when they’re doing an activity that might spark a fire.
Backyard and beach fires are banned in the City of Kamloops, and a Category Three open fire prohibition is in effect for the Kamloops Fire Centre.
Anyone who spots a fire within the City of Kamloops’ limits is asked to call 9-1-1, while fires outside city limits can be reported to *5555 on a cellphone.
