from Chief Caldbeck ~

Thank you all for continuing your fire safety vigilance in this unprecedented dry period.  The Cowichan Valley, including Thetis Island and Salt Spring Island continue to be rated EXTREME HAZARD (5) due to the minimal precipitation, drying winds, low recovery rates (relative humidity over night) and the length of time the forest has been drying out.  I know that many of you like to get your autumn yard cleanup underway by this time of year but circumstances are forcing us to continue to prohibit all outdoor fires including burn barrels, incinerators, campfires, industrial clearing, and fireworks.  Propane and charcoal briquette BBQs with no wood and no sparks are still allowed but extra precaution is needed when operating them.  They cannot be left unattended and there must be a water supply at the BBQ site.  The nights are much cooler now so many homes are starting to use their indoor wood-stoves and fire places.  Please minimize sparks and make sure your chimney has been properly cleaned and serviced.  The TIVFD thanks you for your support in lowering the risk of fire this summer and for the next few weeks as we wait for the usual autumn dump of continuous rain.  My understanding is that we have broken the record this year for a September dry spell which stood for 160 years.  The latest Coastal Fire Weather Forecast predicts yet another week of this dry pattern until at least the 14th.  The daily Fire Weather Forecast can be viewed on the TIVFD website http://www.thetisislandfire.ca/fire%20weather%20forecasts/Fcst.pdf and on the Thetis Island Community Blog ~ click here 

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

Thetis Island Fire Dept.

Box 14-6, Thetis Island

BC, V0R 2Y0

cell:  250-252-0544