Stay Prepared, Travel Safely This Labour Day Long Weekend

As people in B.C. prepare to celebrate the Labour Day long weekend before students return to school, the Province is encouraging people to plan ahead, stay safe and be prepared for seasonal risks.

Hot summer weather and dry conditions continue to keep much of the province at increased risk for wildfires, including the Wesley Ridge and Mount Underwood wildfires.

As of yesterday, there were approximately 78 active wildfires burning in British Columbia, with 15 considered out of control. At the present time, there are no wildfires of note.

Open-burning prohibitions are still in place in the province, including campfire prohibitions in the Coastal, Cariboo and Kamloops fire centres.

If you are in an area where campfires are permitted, avoid having one when it’s windy and never leave it unattended.

Always use a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks at least three metres from trees, shrubs, structures and debris.

To reduce fire risk around homes, people can take simple FireSmart steps, such as:

• clear away dry leaves and debris
• move propane tanks and other flammables at least 10 metres from structures
• keep lawns short and watered where possible, following local restrictions
• close windows and doors; and choose fire-resistant plants for landscaping

It’s also a good time, the Province says, to have a grab-and-go bag ready for each household member and pets and to create an Emergency Support Services profile that can help reduce the time to get ready in the event an evacuation is required.

The last long weekend of the summer also brings increased travel throughout the province.

Drivers should be prepared for heavier-than-usual traffic volumes and possible delays.

Before heading out, check DriveBC for the latest road conditions, closures and detours.