“We have to do better,” said Victoria Fire Chief - Daniel Atkinson, while sharing his frustration in response to a beach fire on Dallas Road. Early Thursday morning, firefighters responded to a fire along the Dallas Road bluff that had spread from a beach fire.
Open fires are not permitted in Victoria any time of year and they pose a serious risk to people, pets, nearby homes, and coastal ecosystems. Fines of up to $2,000 can be issued to those having beach fires.
Primary cause of fires
"Given the current conditions in Sooke, where a growing wildfire is burning out of control, and the province-wide ban on open fires, we expect everyone to do better," said Chief Atkinson.
He adds, "Campfires and discarded cigarettes are the primary cause of fires that damage our parks and we need everyone to be extra cautious at this time of year when fire risk is extreme. We are thankful to the attentive residents who called 911 and to our crews who put out the fire quickly, preventing further damage."