The District of Elkford will send Canfor the bill after the District’s fire department responded to some unattended burn piles north of the community.
“We understand that Canfor has registered these piles with the BC Wildfire Service as required,” said Elkford officials.
“However, these piles are being lit and burned without consultation or advisement to the District of Elkford.”
Director of Elkford’s Fire and Emergency Services Enzo Calla says the company also broke Category 3 Open Burn regulations with the November fires.
“This was in contravention to the burning index that was issued for that time. We had a cold front inversion,” said Calla.
“It kept the smoke at a low level within the municipal district for several days.”
On November 19, Calla says the smoke prompted a false alarm when a resident reported an apartment fire.
“Upon further investigation, it was determined that the resident was actually smelling the smoke that had lingered in town,” explained Calla.
A report to District Council says Elkford reached out to Canfor to lodge complaints verbally and in writing, but it did not receive a response.
“Calls of this nature are not uncommon; the issue of concern is the blatant disregard for the health of the citizens of Elkford by the burning that was being conducted,” said Elford officials.
Complaints have also been submitted to the BC Wildfire Service and the Conservation officer Service.
“Our issues lies in notification. The venting index is posted daily bt the province daily to aliviate situations such as this,” said Calla.
“Without notification, our crews recieved several calls throughout the day to confirm they were not a danger to the public.”
Calla hopes the District formally sending a bill for their service will result in better management in the future.
“We would like some notification from these large companies and the province that these burns are taking place,” said Calla.
“Furthermore, we would like them to have the proper equipment and manpower on site to monitor these burns.”
Elkford will draft an invoice for $2,420 which will be sent to Canfor.
“This is for the use of one engine and one ladder truck that responded to this fire for two hours,” said Calla.
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