Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (AFRS) has recorded its “greenest” Christmas wreath on record for the month of December.
Every year, the wreath is displayed at fire hall 1 on George Ferguson Way and starts with 31 green lights on Dec. 1. For every day on which there is a preventable residential fire, a green light is replaced with a red.
This season ended with only one red light, representing a fire that had ignited from cooking oil being left unattended on a stove. The fire spread to kitchen cabinets, resulting in $6,000 in fire and smoke damage.
Fire Chief Don Beer said December is typically among the months recording the highest number of residential fires.
This is due to the increased use of home heating and electrical appliances, as well as 1home decorations, candles, cooking and home entertaining.
“We trust that this December the community has demonstrated a heightened awareness to the potential hazards and risks of fires. We hope that this continues throughout the year,” he said.
In addition to the one residential fire for December, AFRS handled 466 other incidents, including one commercial building fire, four vehicle fires, 75 motor vehicle incidents, 208 medical responses, 65 fire alarm activations, and 104 public service calls.
Beer said the fire-related incidents resulted in $69,000 in property and content damages.
