Surrey firefighters called to more than 100 brush fires a month

Mayor Brenda Locke has directed city staff to look for ways to curb human-caused fires in the city's green spaces, which she hopes includes a increase in fines for lighting campfires or illegally using fireworks.

Mayor Brenda Locke asking staff for solutions, wants fireworks, campfire fines doubled

Chad Pawson · CBC News · Posted: Aug 12, 2024 9:54 PM EDT | Last Updated: August 13

A woman stands at a podium gesturing in mid-speech. — Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says residents need to follow fire rules in the city to prevent grass and bush fires. The Surrey Fire Service has responded to 377 since May 1, 2024. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Surrey, B.C., Mayor Brenda Locke has asked city staff to come up with way to curb an alarming rate of fire in the city's green spaces.

On Monday, Locke presented a notice of motion at a special council meeting, asking staff to assess the city's fire risk and ways to stop human-caused fires from flaring up in places like parks.

"People really need to listen to the fire bans, know that things like tossing a cigarette out, or fireworks or barbecues, all of those things that can cause fire — please don't do that, especially at these times of high risk," told CBC News after the meeting.

Her motion said that between May 1 and July 31 of this year, the Surrey Fire Service responded to more than 350 brush and grass fires.

At the council meeting, she updated the number to 377, meaning there have been an additional 27 fires in the past 12 days.

"This is very, very concerning," she said.

In the 104-day span between May 1 and Aug. 12, the amount of brush fires reported to the Surrey Fire Service works out to an average of nearly four per day.

Locke did not say what damage has occurred from the fires, but said that would be part of the report she was asking from staff, which is to be prepared for council for Sept. 9.

Fire danger in the city is currently high, with charcoal briquette barbecues not permitted in parks, along with several other prohibitions to prevent fires.

Earlier this month, the city sent out a news release advising residents of fire danger in the city and that there would be enhanced enforcement.

"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," said the advisory.

Media Release: 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. <br><br>Read more:
—@CityofSurrey

Locke said she hopes the staff report will consider an increase of fines, perhaps even doubling them during periods of high fire risk in the city.

"I hope we look at that and that's one of the things I'm going to be talking to the fire chief about," she said. "We need to make sure this is mitigated and done quickly."