Surrey mayor concerned after hundreds of bush, grass fires in city

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke is concerned about the fire risk in her city with the continued hot and dry weather.

She’s put forward a notice of motion to city council, saying that between May and July this year, the Surrey Fire Service responded to more than 350 brush and grass fires in the city.

According to the SFS, most of the blazes were deemed to be human-caused.

Locke wants staff to report back with more information on the fire risk and ways to mitigate it.

“The City of Surrey is increasing enforcement of fire regulations and reminding residents to take preventative measures during an elevated fire risk due to dry and hot weather conditions,” the mayor’s motion stated.

“Residents are reminded that contravention of By-laws can come with significant financial penalties, including up to $5,000 for the use of fireworks and up to $2,000 for campfires, plus the costs of prosecution.”

In a statement Tuesday, the mayor added that asking staff to review the penalties sends “a clear message that the safety of our community is our top priority.”

“During summertime and heatwaves, we must equip ourselves with the necessary tools to protect our environment and residents. It’s essential that everyone understands the serious consequences of violating these regulations, as they directly impact our ability to keep our city safe,” Locke said.