Briefly: July 18, 2014

Fire ban

All open burning is now prohibited as the risk of wildfire increases.

The ban went into effect at noon on Thursday, July 17, as the danger rating for many areas on the coast has climbed to high. The ban will remain until Wednesday, October 15.

“This step is being taken to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety,” said Marg Drysdale, fire information officer for the Coastal Fire Centre.

Human-caused wildfires can divert critical resources and crews needed to fight naturally occurring wildfires, she added.

This prohibition applies to campfires and open burning of any size or description. The use of fireworks, burning barrels, tiki torches and sky lanterns is included in the ban.

On Savary Island use of all spark-causing equipment like chainsaws, grinders, and lawnmowers is also prohibited until the total fire ban is lifted.

The prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to portable campfires that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, people should call 1.800.663.5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

A film crew will take a trip up to Hole in the Wall on Powell Lake, to visit the home of Wayne and Margi Lutz, Saturday, July 19.

Three people and 15 cases of film gear plus luggage will be barged on the Lutz’s Hewescraft. The crew is with Red Letter Films based in Vancouver, and is producing a French language six-part magazine-style series on the best in unique cottages and chalets on BC’s coast and interior.

This is not the first time the Lutz cabin has been featured on film. In 2012 the couple hosted an independent film company which ran a short segment on the US travel channel about living on the lake. “As we learned from our experience with the previous film crew, it will likely be a lot of hurry-up-and-wait, but we’re more prepared for that now than we were in 2012,” said Wayne.