Maple Ridge firefighters are asking the public to be cautious with ignition sources after two grass fires this week.
The first fire took place Tuesday at about 4:30 p.m., on the former Jackson Farm property, near the corner of 102nd Avenue and Jackson Road. It got as big as about 12 square metres, and firefighters were grateful for an early report and a quick response that kept it from getting larger.
Another grass fire started Thursday night at 7 p.m., near Brown Avenue and 223rd Street, which firefighters quickly put out. “The neighbours saw it pretty quickly,” said fire chief Howard Exner.
Exner said both fires were people related, though a specific cause hasn’t been identified. This year’s dry spring is raising the fire threat, he added. Any one of Maple Ridge’s forested areas could be at risk.
“If we don’t get the June rains, we could be in for a long, hot summer.”
Campfires are not allowed anywhere in Maple Ridge’s urban area and only in parts of the rural area. But that latter could be banned as well if conditions keep drying out.
“People need to be mindful of their behaviour in the back country and forested areas,” he said. “Be mindful and be safe,” said deputy fire chief Michael Van Dop.
