Multiple reports of fireworks being set off on Salt Spring — one of which resulted in a grass fire — have island officials scratching their heads as a protracted period of dangerous fire conditions in the region continues.
Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue (SSIFR) Deputy Chief Dale Lundy confirmed the department had received multiple calls from residents who had seen fireworks being ignited on the west side of St. Mary Lake Monday night, Aug. 11. Fire crews investigated that evening, he said, and while they discovered fireworks remnants, thankfully firefighters found no evidence flames had taken hold in the dry brush.
But unfortunately, Lundy said, the next afternoon in Ganges was a different story. Firefighters responded Tuesday, Aug. 12 to reports of still more fireworks being set off — accompanied this time by a plume of alarming smoke — at the Kanaka Skate Park adjacent to the Salt Spring Island Multi Space.
“There was a roughly 30 by 40 foot fire in the grassy area right by the skate park,” said Lundy, “as a result of fireworks activity in very, very dry conditions.”
Firefighters used some 500 gallons of water to extinguish the flames before they had a chance to spread further, Lundy said. Five SSIFR members responded while several more stood by at the Ganges fire hall in case they were needed.
Significant wildfires nearby have dominated regional news in recent weeks, including the Wesley Ridge fire near Nanaimo which has only recently come under control, held at 1,450 acres. SSIFR deployed members and equipment to join the mutual-aid effort to combat that fire.
And smoke from Vancouver Island often finds its way across to Salt Spring, heightening local concern; the same day as the skate park fire, winds sent a hazy cloud across much of the island from the 5,000-acre (and growing) Mount Underwood fire south of Port Alberni.
Lundy said it was “hard to wrap your head around” someone making the decision to intentionally light any fire at all, much less set off fireworks, given how dry the summer has been and how much effort has been made controlling wildfires across the province.
“Fireworks are a banned activity during even the ‘high’ fire risk conditions, said Lundy. “And [on Salt Spring Island] we’ve gone back into ‘extreme’ again; people need to be mindful of the fire conditions, and use a little common sense.”
No burning of any kind has been allowed on Salt Spring Island since the campfire ban went into effect July 17. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit bcwildfire.ca; the saltspringfire.com website has more local information, including a “cheat sheet” describing restrictions related to high-risk activities such as chainsawing and mechanical land clearing.