TimberWest investigating after complaints of smoke smell in Greater Victoria

TimberWest investigating after complaints of smoke smell in Greater Victoria
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The air quality was considered a high risk on the  West Shore on Wednesday and moderate in Victoria following some controlled burns. (Government of B.C.)

The air quality was considered a high risk on the West Shore on Wednesday and moderate in Victoria following some controlled burns. (Government of B.C.)

TimberWest has confirmed it is investigating after the company received complaints about the strong smell of smoke over Greater Victoria on Halloween night following some controlled burns in the Shirley and Sooke areas.

Residents on the West Shore, Victoria and Saanich started reporting the smoke smell around 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. The B.C. Air Quality Health Index map showed the air quality was rated 7 for a short amount of time, which is a high health risk. Victoria’s health risk was moderate. The ratings dropped back down to a low health risk around 3 p.m.

The smoke was due to open burning of slash piles between Sooke and Shirley, the B.C. Forest Service said. The prescribed burns were being done by TimberWest.

Both Langford Fire Rescue and the Saanich Fire Department responded to the multiple calls they were receiving about the smoke, saying there were no active fires in either of the area.

“We heard the complaints about the smoke, and we are investigating. We take precautions to ensure that appropriate conditions are in place for prescribed burning in accordance to venting regulations,” Monica Bailey, TimberWest spokeswoman, said.

With files from The Times Colonist

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