Union Bay Fire Rescue would like to remind members of the community that during periods of heightened forest fire danger, certain work activities may start forest fires. In order to reduce the risk of forest fires, these “high risk activities” are banned or restricted by regulation.

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) regulates “high risk activities” with the regulatory bylaws in fire service areas that it manages.

As of noon Friday August 19, 2022 a High Risk Activity Ban will be in effect within the Union Bay Fire Protection Area.

It is important that everybody helps to reduce the risk of forest fires and is aware of the regulations that restrict “high risk activities”.

Please follow the link below for more information on the types of activities effected by the ban.

High Risk Activities – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Ian Ham
Fire Chief

“Union Bay Fire Rescue respectfully acknowledges the land on which it operates is on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.”

Alerts for: East Vancouver Island Warnings
Heat Warning in effect

10:57 AM PDT Tuesday 16 August 2022
Heat Warning in effect for:

• • East Vancouver Island – Courtenay to Campbell River
  • East Vancouver Island – Duncan to Nanaimo
  • East Vancouver Island – Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay

A stretch of hot weather is expected.

Threat: Daytime high temperatures of 29 to 35 degrees Celsius inland and near 27 degrees Celsius near the water. Early morning low temperatures of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.

When: Wednesday and Thursday.

Remarks: A strong ridge of high pressure will bring a short lived heat wave to British Columbia. Temperatures are expected to moderate on Friday.

The hottest time of the day will be late afternoon to early evening.

Extreme heat affects everyone.

The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.

Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.

To get more information:

• Check the local news for health and safety updates.
• Check HealthLinkBC online resources about heat-related illness and how to protect yourself at www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/heat-related-illness.
• Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 to ask about heat-related illness.

Environment Canada and local Medical Health Officers expect an increase in health and safety risks from heat and are advising the public to take precautions.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.

Effective at noon Pacific Daylight Time on Thursday, August 04, 2022, campfires will be prohibited throughout the Union Bay Fire Protection Area. This prohibition is being enacted to help reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety.

This prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands within the Union Bay Fire Protection area.

This prohibition will be in place until October 28, 2022, or until the order is rescinded.

With the enactment of this prohibition, no campfires, category 2, or category 3 open fires are allowed within the Union Bay Fire Protection Area. The category 2 and 3 prohibition (which includes backyard and industrial burning) was enacted on July 15, 2022. Also prohibited in all areas of the Union Bay Fire Protection Area are the following activities:

• Fireworks;
• Sky Lanterns;
• Binary Exploding Targets;
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description; and,
• Air Curtain Burners

The campfire prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or portable campfire devices that use briquettes, liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided they are CSA or ULC approved, and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online: openburningregs_2022update.pdf

To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

Learn More:

Follow the latest wildfire news:

• on the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices
• on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo

on Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Union Bay Fire Rescue is committed to providing professional, efficient and effective services to all residents and visitors of Union Bay. Our mission will be accomplished through training, education and fire prevention. When called upon; we will….

• Provide a rapid and professional response to a emergency
• Attempt to minimize loss of life and property from fire, or disaster
• Show compassion for those involved
• Be committed to protection of the environment