As warm weather draws increasing numbers of people out onto the water and local beaches, 19 Wing Comox reminds residents, particularly those near the waters surrounding Texada Island, that the area is an active pyrotechnics range. The range is used primarily by search and rescue crews training in the safe and effective use of both high intensity parachute flares and marine smoke markers.
Flares are used in military search and rescue operations and training in order to illuminate the night sky, while smoke canisters are used to aid in the rescue of people at sea. While both of these devices are designed to sink after use, occasionally, these devices may wash ashore before this happens.
Both of these devices are hazardous if they are mishandled. Do not pick up or retain such objects as souvenirs. If you have found, or have in your possession, any object that you believe to be an explosive or military pyrotechnic, notify your local police or the 19 Wing Operations Centre and arrangements will be made to dispose of it in a safe manner.
To report findings to 19 Wing, please call 1-866-488-0889.
19 Wing thanks members of the community for their help in the safe recovery of these devices.