By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Full fire ban lifted for Vancouver Island and area

Sep 28, 2017 | 11:29 AM

NANAIMO — After a bone dry summer, some much needed rain in the forecast means the fire ban will soon be lifted.

The Coastal Fire Centre, which covers Vancouver Island and B.C.’s southwest coast, is redacting their fire ban on Friday, Sept. 29 at noon. The open campfire ban was previously lifted.

“We’re looking at a cold front moving through and there will be showers over the weekend,” Centre fire information officer Marg Drysdale told NanaimoNewsNOW. “There’s a definite downturn in the weather at this time.”

Forecasted rain is a welcome relief after one of Nanaimo’s dryest summers ever. Less than 3 mm of precipitation fell in July and August, making it the driest two months on record. 

Drysdale said since the beginning of fire season on April 1, there were 105 fires within the Coastal Fire Centre, which is less than half their 10-year average.

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“People were looking at what was happening in the Interior and were cooperating with the prohibitions and being cautious.”

Drysdale said though the Coastal Fire Centre has lifted their ban, individual cities and towns may still have their own in place and reminded people to check before lighting their tiki torches or backyard fire.

island-news@jpbg.ca

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