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 Wildfire hazard rating 

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Gabriola’s current wildfire hazard rating (low, moderate, high, or extreme) is posted in the above site banner. There are also signs around the island: in front of the Gabriola Post Office, on Taylor Bay Road near North Road, and in front of each of our fire halls.

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These are the fire hazard ratings we use:

 

Low

 

Moderate

  • Normal operations are permitted, but use extra caution as some areas may dry out more then others.

  • See the moderate hazard status page for more details.

 

High

Unless ‘no fire’ signs are up the following applies-

  • Burning permits are no longer issued.

  • Burn barrels and non-permit fires (small campfires less than 1/2 cubic metre) are still allowed.

  • See the high hazard status page for more details.

 

High with Early Shift

  • Burning permits are no longer issued.

  • Open burning is not permitted. So campfires other small fires are not allowed.

  • Burn barrels and non-permit fires (small campfires) are not allowed.

  • Some activities are limited to early shift: there is a 1:00 p.m. stopping time for many private and industrial operations, including all powered equipment such as chainsaws, lawnmowers, weed eaters, chippers, etc.

  • Generally 4 days of High rating will put Gabriola into High early shift.

  • See the high with early shift hazard status page for more details.
     

Extreme

  • All open burning is banned.

  • You cannot operate any powered equipment at any time.

  • We are in shutdown mode. This means that many industrial operations, such as logging, are suspended. 

  • A watchman is required: you must have a person at the work site for 2 hour after work has stopped as a precaution against fire. The watchman must have quick access to a telephone in case of an emergency.

  • See the extreme hazard status page for more details.
     

​Gabriola's Volunteer Fire Department references the Provincial Wild fire Danger Class Model to set our Wildfire Classification during fire season: it can be viewed here. We use Cedar as the nearest reference point to set the Danger classification status.

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Please see Gabriola’s Burning Regulations for more details on what you may and may not burn.

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