North Shore residents are shaking their heads in disbelief this week over the news that there have been a number of deliberately set fires in our community.
It’s hard to forget that the province is on fire. Every newscast this week has led with a wildfire update. The smoke hanging in the air has been a palpable reminder.
Our tinder dry forests, parched for rain, are rated an extreme fire hazard. It’s bad enough that a number of smokers still don’t get it and persist in flicking their butts out of their cars.
But the idea that someone would deliberately set 13 fires in this environment along a Lynn Valley trail, or torch a waterfront West Vancouver mansion, has been truly shocking.
We look forward to someone being held accountable.
In the midst of this insanity, there have been a few more heartening moments. Kudos to the neighbours in Lynn Valley who formed bucket brigades and put out the smaller fires before they grew larger and more threatening.
Now would be an excellent time for neighbours next to our forested areas to meet and discuss their readiness for emergencies such as a sudden fire.
More than that, both police and fire officials have said they need help from the public — to make the 9-1-1 call quickly if they spot or smell smoke in the bush. And if you’ve got a bucket or a hose and your backyard is on fire, don’t worry too much about those watering restrictions.
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