As we get further into August it looks like the hot and dry weather will be here for a while.
With the recent fire in Slocan Park, residents are once again reminded how fragile our balance with nature really is. It doesn’t take much to turn a small backyard fire into a full-blown blaze.
At the Southeast Fire Centre, fire information offices are urging great care and have, in fact, enacted a campfire ban.
There have been several lightning-caused fires in the region recently, including the 120 hectare blaze in Slocan Park. Any man-made fires pull resources away from those natural fires.
One thing about fires is that they are very unpredictable. Winds and tree lines can affect how quick a fire spreads and in which direction it goes.
The extremely dry conditions mean the fire risk is very high. New fires will start easily, spread rapidly and challenge fire suppression efforts.
Residents need to ensure they are not hindering fire crews by adding to fire danger.