B.C.'s Wildfire Management Branch is warning people to be extra careful extinguishing their campfires as the hot weather pushes the wildfire hazard into the high zone on the Coast this week.
"It's been forecasted that we will have some fairly good weather into next weekend which increases the risk of wildfires," said Coastal Fire Centre media spokesperson Marg Drysdale. "The risk is there and the biggest issue we've had on the Coast is with abandoned campfires."
Drysdale said that so far the Coastal Fire Centre has responded to three abandoned campfires on the Sunshine Coast this year. Each incident could have seen the fire easily spread to nearby forests, which are extremely dry right now.
"It seems to be an ongoing issue with people just not putting out their campfires properly on the Sunshine Coast," Drysdale said.
She said a campfire that has been extinguished properly should be cool to the touch. Campfires should be put out with at least eight litres of water or with nearby sand that can be stirred in until all embers are out and the fire pit is cool to the touch.
"It just takes a little time and you have to be aware," Drysdale added.
