FILE PHOTO
Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
July 23, 2021 - 3:18 PM
Portable propane barbecues have been banned in parks and beaches in the Central Okanagan effective immediately due to the persisting hot, dry weather.
The City of Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Regional District of Central Okanagan, District of Lake Country and District of Peachland have all banned the use of propane barbecues in parks.
The City of West Kelowna is only advising people not to barbecue in their parks. Only personal propane barbecues are allowed but people are being advised not to use them otherwise parks might need to be closed.
“We’ve had some scares and close calls recently where small fires have been quickly extinguished or narrowly avoided,” Kelowna parks services manager Blair Stewart said in a media release issued today, July 23.
The ban on cooking implements, open flame, fireworks and motorized vehicles in municipal parks is in addition to the provincewide ban on campfires.
“We need people to be extra vigilant because conditions are so dry that even the smallest spark can lead to a fire,” Kelowna fire chief Travis Whiting said in the release. “I really can’t overstate the level of fire risk Kelowna and the whole Okanagan currently faces.”
Kelowna parks employees and bylaw officers will be out in the parks to monitor activity.
The regional district said it never allows briquette barbecues in parks and pointed out smoking, vaping, and any open flame are taboo at all times.
The Westbank First Nation is advising its residents to have a fire extinguisher nearby if they are barbecuing at home.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2021