Please remember that despite what the store clerk tells you, fire bowls and tiki lamps are NOT okay during a complete fire ban. Fire bowls burn wood and give out sparks, even with a grate over the campfire. Tiki lights have been known to blow over and ignite serious fires during fire season. And of course, no fireworks or other incendiary devices...this includes sky or wedding lanterns which normally are a can of sterno or diesel fuel or even a candle that is attached to a paper lantern that will lift into the sky with the hot air produced. Lovely to look at up in the sky, but when they come down...disaster.
Although most Thetis Islanders are aware of these restrictions, some visitors are not and don't notice the information signs. Wednesday evening a concerned resident reported seeing flames and hearing crackling at a location on the harbour. The fire dept. responded and found it was an uninformed part-time resident having a campfire on his deck. We assisted the person in extinguishing the flames and explained the fire ban. We thank that caller for reporting his concerns to 911.
Please be vigilant...your fire department would rather respond to a minor call than a major conflagration!
Fire Chief J. Caldbeck
Thetis Island Fire Dept.
Box 14-6, Thetis Island
BC, V0R 2Y0