Tuesday April 7, 2020 ~ SOOKE
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
Outdoor burning has been prohibited in the District of Sooke since March 26, 2020 due to the municipality’s location within a High Smoke Sensitivity Zone (SSZ), it was sent out in a reminder by the District of Sooke today April 7.
To further reduce the likelihood of human-caused fires, effective at noon, Thursday, April 16, 2020, open burning activities will be prohibited throughout British Columbia, regardless of the Smoke Sensitivity Zoning.
The exception is backyard campfires, which are still permitted – clean split wood only, contained ring, maximum two feet in diameter, and at least twenty feet from property lines and structures.
The following activities are prohibited, and these restrictions will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified:
- Category 2 open fires;
- Category 3 open fires;
- Resource Management open fires;
- the use of fireworks;
- the use of sky lanterns; and
- the use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description.
These prohibitions apply to all public and private land within British Columbia.
Categories of open burning
Map of the affected areas
Non-essential travel, camping and movement through communities
On April 2 the Provincial Health Officer discouraged all non-essential travel within BC, particularly to smaller communities like Sooke where there might not be the resources to support people who become ill or should there be transmission in those communities.
- Destination BC has shared a video encouraging visitors to Explore BC…Later
- BC Parks suspended camping until at least April 30 and many parks are closed.
“For now, we pause – stay in – and dream of later. The more we do today, the sooner we can #explore BC again.” Destination BC
The Sooke municipality and fire department say: “We understand many people are eager to get out of the house and spend time outdoors; however, provincial parks are not where people should be congregating right now. Set up a tent and camp out in your backyard – enjoy a small campfire. Build an obstacle course to keep your family active – create a fun outside space to hang out.”
Destination BC has issued a video about future tourism activity: Watch some inspiring Destination BC videos.
Role of Bylaw Officers as outlined by the Province:
- Not direct enforcers of public health orders; their role is to support compliance and enforcement, including through monitoring, education, warnings and reporting.
- Are to be guided by policy direction from the Provincial Health Officer regarding public health orders.
- Officers are not authorized to detain an individual as a result of a contravention or suspected contravention of a public health order.
- Officers are also not authorized to exercise any authority to issue a fine or penalty in regard to public health orders.
- Sooke fire bylaw page
General Expectations of Bylaw Officers in Supporting Public Health Orders:
The aim of public health orders is to manage and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging physical distancing, and provide assistance with Public Health Act orders with the following principles in mind:
- Public education and voluntary compliance without the need for law enforcement interventions.
- A balanced approach to maintain public trust to ensure essential services can operate while following public health Orders.
Read the full guidance document here:
Ministry of Health – Enforcement Guidance – Public Health Orders and Physical Distancing
District of Sooke website – information links:
COVID-19 PANDEMIC – DISTRICT UPDATES AND INFORMATION
==== OTHER LINKS:
Government of Canada – Outbreak Update: www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
Government of Canada – Prevention & Risk: www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html
Government of BC – Pandemic Preparedness: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/pandemic-influenza
BC Centre for Disease Control: www.bccdc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/2020/information-on-novel-coronavirus
- wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
- avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands;
- avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- cough or sneeze into your sleeve and not your hands (or into a tissue and immediately dispose of the tissue); and
- stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others
All articles about COVID-19 by West Shore Voice News: Use our SEARCH tool (magnifying glass) at the top of this page, to search for COVID-19 articles. All articles will come up in chronological order.