All high-risk activities are banned in all areas of Savary Island, including beaches, beginning August 1. The ban will remain in effect until September 6.
According to a media release from qathet Regional District (qRD), due to prolonged dry conditions and in accordance with Savary Island Outdoor Fire Control Bylaw No. 549, the Savary Island Volunteer Fire Department (SIVFD) fire chief is restricting all high-risk activities that could cause a fire on the island. According to the bylaw, any violations may be subject to a maximum penalty of $2,000.
The release stated that high-risk activities are defined as the following: mechanical brushing; disk trenching; preparation or use of explosives; using fire or spark-producing tools including cutting tools; using or preparing fireworks or pyrotechnics; grinding; mechanical land clearing; skidding logs; using a vehicle with metal tracks, chains or studs; operating a power saw; clearing or maintaining right of ways, including grass mowing, rock drilling, or tree processing, including delimbing; welding; portable wood chipping, milling, processing or manufacturing.
Fire chief Chris Philpott has enacted the high-risk activity ban to ensure community safety, stating: “With at least another month of summer weather ahead of us, the ban on high-risk activities is necessary to minimize the risk of accidental fires on Savary Island.”
The release stated the SIVFD is operated by a small group of dedicated volunteers who give their time to train and respond to fires, emergency medical calls and other public safety concerns. For more information on current local fire restrictions, go to qathet.ca.
