Vancouver Park Board urges fire safety in Stanley Park ahead of long weekend
Posted August 1, 2023 12:26 pm.
Last Updated August 3, 2023 10:39 am.
With the B.C. Day long weekend around the corner, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is urging the public to be extra aware of fire safety in Stanley Park.
In an information bulletin issued Tuesday morning, the park board warns that conditions in the popular park are “extremely dry” due to the weather and an ongoing infestation of looper moths.
Related Stories:
-
600-year-old tree falls in Stanley Park
-
Vancouver Park Board to update Stanley Park forest fire plan
-
B.C. coastal campfire ban now in place
The infestation has affected roughly a fifth of the park’s trees, the board says, causing “significant impacts” throughout the area.
“The looper moth is a native insect that feasts primarily on hemlocks and Douglas firs. Outbreaks typically last around three to four years, but warmer environments due to climate change have prolonged their lifespans, allowing them to inflict a more severe impact on local trees,” the board said, adding pesticides cannot be used as they will harm the ecosystem.
In addition to the insect infestation, persistent drought conditions experienced in most of the province have prompted a warning ahead of what’s expected to be a busy weekend for the park.
“We are urging all park users to practice extra caution with the fire risk in the park and to follow guidance from the Park Board and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) to support public safety and protect this world-famous greenspace,” the bulletin said.
Related Video: Vancouver Park Board to update Stanley Park Forest Management Plan
The agency has offered some safety tips for those looking to enjoy the park in the coming days. They include calling 911 if you see or smell smoke, reporting fire hazards by calling 311, and not starting any campfires or using barbecues.
Additionally, the board is reminding the public that smoking is prohibited at all parks and beaches in Vancouver and is subject to a $250 fine.
Patrols of the park will also be increased with “a particular focus on high risk areas” for fires, the board advised.
Last month, the park board voted to update its forest management strategy for the first time since 2009. It will include updated information on forest fire risks in Stanley Park, including the looper moth infestation that has gone on for the past few years. It will also include perspectives of the area’s Indigenous peoples to help manage fire risks in the park.
