Encampment at Regina Park in Saanich, which has received two fire inspection orders for numerous mandatory requirements for fire and life safety inside and outside of the tents. File photo.
Saanich fire and police members are enforcing a fire order that the district of Saanich says has been ignored at the Regina Park encampment.
Occupiers of the camp had been ordered to comply with the order that was given on June 8 and 15 for fire and life safety.
Because of non-compliance from encampment occupiers, the district says firefighters and police officers are at the site Tuesday separating tents and shelters by at least a metre and arranged for a clear path to a safe area.
Saanich Parks’ staff will be cutting tall grass to mitigate any fire risk within the park and tents will be cleared from residential wooden fencing to address the fire hazard.
Additional requirements made last Friday include no smoking in the park, tall grass that is cut must be removed and tents can’t be within three metres of a fence or structure.
Of particular concern for Saanich fire officials is the close groupings of tents that are made of and contain flammable material and tents being near long grass that is of greater risk for fire because of the recent heat.
Close proximity to wooden residential fences is also seen as a risk as a structural fire hazard to homes near those fences.
More than 60 people are living in the tent city along Highway 1 near Uptown Mall trying to raise awareness about the need for more supportive housing in the district.
The municipality says the enforcement is not intended to address the illegal occupation of the park by the campers and the district continues to look for a resolution to end the encampment on the property.
Officials say efforts will continue to get voluntary compliance with the fire inspection orders by camp residents.
CHEK News
