Around 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27, the Gibsons & District Volunteer Fire Department was responding to an illegal backyard burn when its heavy smoke triggered “community panic” on social media, Fire Chief Rob Michael told Coast Reporter.
While the fire itself was small, it produced a “significant amount of smoke” and many social media posts. Michael said the only reason the fire truck was needed to respond was because of a locked gate, which the fire department cut.
Then they “had the RCMP issue an expensive reminder of why they can’t be having any burns in their backyard at this time,” Michael said. The ticket was $1,150.
Michael posted to the Gibsons Fire Department Facebook account that evening to issue a “cheeky” reminder to the public to report fires.
“A friendly reminder from your local fire department to report fires to 911 BEFORE posting to social media,” the department’s statement read.
If you see smoke or a fire, it should be reported to 911, who will notify the local fire department to respond. A campfire ban has been in effect across the province since June 30, and burning is prohibited.
