The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) has implemented a smoking ban in its parks, effective July 17 due to dry conditions and some fire services resources moving off-island to aid in the BC interior fires.
Although key personnel and equipment have been deployed to the BC interior, sufficient firefighters and equipment remain in the region to maintain a first-response capability locally, as was required with the Curtis Road brushfire in Comox over the weekend.
“A smoking ban usually isn’t implemented until the fire hazard posted by Coastal Fire Centre reaches extreme, however due to the fire risk rated at high and local resources being deployed to help fight the larger BC fires, it is wise to implement the smoking ban in our parks now,” said CVRD Manager of Parks Doug DeMarzo.
“We thank the public in advance for co-operating as taking due care sure helps minimize fire risk in our parks and surrounding infrastructure and helps to free up other resources.”
A campfire ban in the region has been in place since July 6, 2017. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit the BC Wildfire Service website: www.bcwildfire.ca .