Metro Vancouver regional parks on high fire alert

Some activities in Metro Vancouver's regional parks are restricted due to a "high" fire rating and hot, dry conditions in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, a high fire danger means the forest is very dry and the fire risk is serious. Fires can begin easily and spread quickly. Extra caution should be exercised with forest activities.

• See the full list of Metro Vancouver park fire warnings

Tyler Langeloo, a parkoperations supervisor with Metro Vancouver, says park operators are posting signage about the danger and increasing patrols.

Restrictions vary according to the park, he said, but some examples include a ban on campfires in public fire rings and pits, limited use of barbecues, and a ban on smoking on trails.

A provincewide campfire ban which applies to all B.C. parks, Crown lands and private lands (but not regional parks like Metro Vancouver's) came into effect on Monday.

Best defence is public's diligence

Thankfully, Langeloo said, there haven't been any major fires of note in the Metro Vancouver park system this year.

"We haven't had any fires that I'm aware of and things have been good so far," he said.

Part of the reason, he said, is because there are a lot of people who use the parks who notify authorities quickly when they notice fire.

"One of our first and best lines of defence is our public," he said. "The people who use our parks are diligent about what they do and reporting that back to us so we can deal with it quickly."

In contrast in situations like the multiple fires currently burning in B.C.'s Interior fires often get out of control because they start in very remote areas where no one sees them.

If you do see smoke from a fire in a park, Langeloo says call 911 as the local fire authority will coordinate the response.

With files from The Early Edition