Fire awareness high for long weekend

Searing temperatures and smoky skies will serve as reminders this long weekend that fire is an imminent danger in the region.

The Squamish Lillooet Regional District has put valley residents on evacuation alert and set up a public information line at 1-866-417-4132.

The Mayson Lake fire north of Barriere has spread to 130 hectares and the evacuation alert for people in electoral area E has been rescinded, while those in electoral area O on the eastern side of Bonaparte Lake are on evacuation order.

Further to the southeast, the10-hectare Joe Rich wildfire near Big White is fully guarded and 85-per-cent contained.

Closer to Kamloops, the Barnhartvale brushfire that started Tuesday night has consumed 53 hectares and is 85-per-cent contained and 100-per-cent guarded.

The City of Kamloops has issued its own bans, on top of the campfire ban put out by the province for this region.

Smoking is not allowed in natural parks in Kamloops, such as Kenna Cartwright and Peterson Creek.

And the City has also banned any outdoor cooking fires, open burning or fireworks.

Barbecues fuelled by gas, propane or briquettes are still allowed.

Smokers who toss cigarette butts outdoors, whether it's from a moving vehicle or simply while walking down the street, will face penalties, warned RCMP Const. Cheryl Bush.

Police are taking reports of people tossing cigarette butts or other items that could potentially start a fire, she said, adding it's helpful if the witness can record the time, place and get a licence plate number if a vehicle is involved.

We cannot put our community at risk, she said.

We hope we come out of this weekend without any tragedies.