Don't be fooled into thinking it's wet enough yet for fires...

We are expecting a series of fronts to arrive on Friday, bringing rain and also possibly 80 km. winds on Saturday.  We need at least four or five days of constant rain to open up the Island to campfires only.  The rain, although expected to be heavy at times, needs many more days than that to soak into the parched soil and not run off the surface.  Backyard waste fires will "go to ground" meaning that the dried roots under the soil surface will smoulder in these conditions and fire can pop up quite a distance from the burn pile.  We will most likely NOT be opening to yard waste piles until November.  We will certainly keep you apprised of the burn permit status through eSpokes, the Hazard Board, and the Community Blog and the TIVFD website.As a side note, today (Thursday) after 2 days of damp fog, Ladysmith Fire Dept. was out this morning for another bark mulch fire on the highway median, most likely caused by a tossed cigarette.  Don't let these grey, damp days fool you...it is still extremely dry in the woods etc.  Thanks for being cautious.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

Thetis Island Fire Dept.

Box 14-6, Thetis Island

BC, V0R 2Y0

cell:  250-252-0544