Residents and park visitors are urged to take precautions as Coquitlam’s fire risk remains at a dangerously high level during ongoing drought conditions with wind and dry lightning forecasted.
COQUITLAM, B.C. Aug. 18, 2023 – Local residents and park visitors are urged to take precautions as Coquitlam’s fire risk remains at a dangerously high level during ongoing drought conditions, as well as increased wind and dry lightning forecasted over the coming days.
The City of Coquitlam Fire/Rescue, Bylaw Enforcement and Parks' crews have also stepped up prevention measures, including public education outreach and increased patrols in parks and trails, as well as promoting fire safety messaging through its social media and other communications channels.
It is imperative that residents follow the City bylaws that ban outdoor burning, smoking in parks and littering cigarette butts. Anyone caught smoking in a City park can face a $500 fine. Littering of cigarette butts can also result in a fine of $150.
Emergency Preparedness
The City also encourages residents to have a plan in place and be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for up to 7 days during an emergency.
As part of proactive, emergency preparedness planning and to save time and reduce stress in an emergency incident, individuals are strongly encouraged to pre-register before an emergency with Evacuation Registration & Assistance at ess.gov.bc.ca.
For those who are not able to make alternate arrangements, emergency supports may be available during the first 72 hours through the Provincial Emergency Support Services Program.
Updates as a result of changing conditions will be posted on the City’s website at coquitlam.ca/ExtremeWeather.
What Else You Can Do to Prevent a Fire
- Do not have any open fires or conduct outdoor burning.
- Relocate flammable debris or firewood at least 10 metres away from your home.
- Be aware when mowing your lawn that if the blade comes into contact with a rock, it can cause a spark that may ignite a fire.
- Ensure your vehicle's exhaust does not emit onto a dry lawn.
- Reduce the amount of fuel present around your homes; prune your shrubs, remove dead and dry vegetation and tree limbs 2-3 metres from the ground.
- Break up continuous vegetation and space so there is no continuous canopy or line of vegetation leading to your home.
- Keep the roof and gutters clear of dead needles; prune branches that hang over the roof.
Report any signs of smoke or fire by calling 9-1-1 immediately.
For more details on all seasonal fire safety, visit coquitlam.ca/SummerFireSafety.
Media contact
Jim Ogloff
Fire Chief, Coquitlam Fire/Rescue
604-927-6400
media@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.