Open Burning Permitted in Otter Point

  Open Burning is Now Permitted in Otter Point.

October 26th, 2022. Due to recent rain in the district and the fire hazard rating dropping to low.  All open burning is now permitted. Permits are required for all open burning. Please phone the fire hall (250) 642-6211  between 08:30 and 17:00 Monday to Friday to obtain a permit.

 

Permits required for Class A Fires. Greater than 2 Meters (6ft.) in diameter, All year long and requires a site inspection by the fire chief or his designate.

  • Do not burn if the wind speed is above 15km/hr.
  • Machine and operator on-site during the burn to manage the pile.
  • No burning for more than three (3) consecutive days.
  • No burning within 50 meters of the building on the same property.

Permits are required for Class B Fires less than 2 Meters (6ft.) in diameter, until November 1st, 2022. After November 1st, Permits are not required but you are required to follow the same requirements:

  • Do not burn if the wind speed is above 15km/hr
  • You need to have a working garden hose at the burn pile.
  • No additional materials added to the fire within two (2) hours of sunset
  • No burning within 10 meters of any building, structure, fence, tree, or hedge.

Campfires and Incinerators with screens are OK. No permits are required.

  • Beach and campfires shall not exceed 1 meter in diameter and 1 meter in height.
  • All beach fires and campfires must be contained by a suitable receptacle made of fireproof materials (such as rocks or metal) that completely surround the fire.
  • Fires are to be continuously controlled and supervised by a competent person until the fire is completely extinguished.

** PLEASE NOTE** New changes are coming to the burning bylaw. For more information, please call the Firehall at 250-642-6211 or email chief@otterpointfire.bc.ca

Click the link below for more information on the current burning regulations:

https://otterpointfire.bc.ca/burning-regulations/

Halloween Bonfire and Fireworks at Camp Barnard October 31, 2022

Otter Point Fire Department is pleased to announce

that the Halloween Bonfire and Fireworks display is a go!

We’ll have Candy bags for the kids, Hot Dogs, and Hot Chocolate for everyone!

The bonfire will start at 6:30 pm and the Fireworks will start at 7:30 pm.

Big Night for Shawn Fiset!

A big night for Otter Point’s Shawn Fiset. Fire Officer 1 certificate from the JIBC, Five Year Service Award, Otter Point Firefighter of the Year, and Promoted to Captain! Then he goes out and fights a structure fire in East Sooke until 2:30am.
Way to go Shawn! We love to see your success!

Annual Firefighters Appreciation Dinner

Last Saturday evening we had our annual appreciation dinner and awards night. 10 individuals were recognized for significant contributions to the Otter Point Fire Dept
Shawn Fiset – 5 years service
Joe Kanashiro – 5 years service
Steve Whitmore – 10 years service
Trevor Davidson -25 year long service award
Ben Patterson – 25 year long service award
Duane Corbin -30 years exemplary service
Scott Hemphill – 30 years exemplary service
Three members were recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Recognition for their dedication to the Otter Point Fire Dept.
Kevan Brehart; David Gollmer; and Ron Morton
Thank you all for your outstanding service!!

2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Otter Point Fire Protection Emergency Response Local Service Commission
The AGM is held in November at the Otter Point Fire Hall
3727 Otter Point Road, Otter Point

At an AGM, three or four commission positions are open for election/re-election. These are for two-year terms commencing the next January 1st. Only owners or occupiers of real property within the Otter Point Fire Local Service area that are present at the meeting are eligible to stand for a position on the commission and to vote at the AGM. Nominations to these positions will only be accepted at the time of the AGM.

The 2022 AGM will be held on November 9th, 2022 at 7:30 pm 

Campfire Prohibition lifted for Otter Point

Campfire prohibition lifted for the Coastal Fire Centre

PARKSVILLE—The campfire prohibition will be lifted in all regions of the Coastal Fire Centre area beginning 12:00 noon, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

Other activities which will now be permitted in the Coastal Fire Centre include:

  • The use of tiki and similar kinds of torches;
  • The use of chimineas; and
  • The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating.

For detailed information, please refer to the map: http://ow.ly/jUuz50KLGIC

Although the fire danger has declined in the Coastal Fire Centre due to recent rainfall and cooler, more seasonal temperatures, the public is strongly encouraged to continue exercising extreme caution with any campfire. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations. Before lighting any fire, check with local government authorities to see if any local burning restrictions are in place.

While campfires will be allowed in the Coastal Fire Centre, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited, including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and burn cages. These restrictions will remain in place until October 28, 2022, or until the order is rescinded.

Reminders about campfires:

  • A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
  • Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly, and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material.
  • Maintain a fireguard around your campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil.
  • Never leave a fire unattended.
  • Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time

Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires. Always practice safe, responsible fire use where permitted.

  • To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
  • Check with your local government or other jurisdictional authorities before lighting a fire of any size since they may have their own restrictions in place.
  • Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Learn More:

Contact:

Fire Information Officer

BC Wildfire Service

Coastal Fire Centre

250-951-4209

FIRESMART Drop Off Chipping Event

 

Clearing and chipping dead branches and shrubs help prevent fire from catching and spreading.
If you have dead branches piled up and don’t want to wait till the open burning season, here’s an opportunity to remove the dead dry fuel from around your property.

FireSmart Chipping Drop-Off Event
Date: Sunday, September 25th, 2022

Location: Camp Barnard, 3202 Young Lake Road 

Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Chipping Guidelines:
Only tree branches, small woody shrubs, and windfall branches will be accepted –Branch size must be between 2.5 cm (1in) to 17 cm (7in)
Branches and debris should not be placed in bags, boxes, or tied with string or wire.
Branches and debris should be clean with no dirt, gravel, or muddy roots
No construction debris, lawn clippings, root balls or loose leaves.

For more information email firesmart@crd.bc.ca or contact the Firehall at 250-642-6211

PUBLIC NOTICE: Campfire Prohibition In Otter Point Effective 12 p.m. on Thursday August 4, 2022

Please be advised Effective 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Thursday, August 4, 2022, campfires will be prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, (which includes the Otter Point Fire Protection District) excluding the Haida Gwaii Forest District. This prohibition is being enacted to help reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety.

This prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands within the Coastal Fire Centre, Including the Otter Point Fire Protection District. unless specified otherwise (e.g. in a local government bylaw). Campfires will still be allowed in Haida Gwaii.

 

This prohibition will be in place until October 28, 2022, or until the order is rescinded.

A map of the affected areas is available online: http://ow.ly/ojX230spiTP

With the enactment of this prohibition, campfires (excluding Haida Gwaii), Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are prohibited within the Coastal Fire Centre. The Category 2 and 3 prohibition was enacted on July 15, 2022.

The following activities are also prohibited in all areas of the Coastal Fire Centre (Wildfire Act, Section 12):

  • Fireworks
  • Sky Lanterns
  • Binary Exploding Targets
  • Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
  • Air Curtain Burners
  • Beach Fires(Including all beach areas in the Otter Point Fire Protection District)

The campfire prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or portable campfire devices that use briquettes, liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided they are CSA or ULC approved, and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

Anyone who lights, fuels or uses an open fire when a fire prohibition is in place or fails to comply with an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be subject to a penalty of up to $100,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories go to: www.bcwildfire.ca