Langford Fire Rescue is asking the public to exercise extreme caution as the fire danger in the region skyrockets due to a streak of hot weather.
On Tuesday, a brush fire started spreading rapidly near Jacklin Road and Station Avenue. Crews arrived shortly after and kept it under control but say it shows how serious the threat has become.
“Within seconds it was out of control,” said Capt. Simon Chadwick of Langford Fire REscue.
“We got really tinder-dry conditions and with this wind as well, this fire is going to spread really rapidly. We have had no rain for a short period of time and we are expecting no rain for the next week or so with high temperatures, so for us it’s a really dangerous period of time.”
Langford Fire Rescue has responded to 15 similar fires over the last month, and say this one is suspected to be human-caused. Cigarette butts were found nearby but that’s not their only worry.
“A big concern for us right now is people working in yards, people working in working sites, sparks can travel really quickly and cause massive fires,” Chadwick said.
“Your lawnmower, if you get grass up in it, could spark a fire,” said Brittany Olender, a foreman with IslandEarth Landscape Services.
“It gets hot around the engine. Your exhaust next to a shrub causes a fire. You really have to look out where you are. You have to watch your surroundings, you have to look at the ground and see how dry it is. If it is [dry], don’t mow. If it has some moisture and is super green, you are good to go.”
Another tip is to be careful with any hot engines from things like weed whackers by setting them down on safe surfaces. But new technology is helping mitigate those risks.
“We are switching over to battery-operated,” said Olender.
“And you can do that and it’s a nice thing and you don’t have to deal with all the extra precautions.”
Langford Fire Rescue says crews are still bracing for more calls this week. They are also handing out things like cigarette butt pouches outside their main hall.
But they are urging to maybe skip manicuring that lawn or using any other power tools outside until the west coast rain returns.
Julian Kolsut
