It's official. We've broken another record - the sunniest July since 1985. By Thursday, we could break another one, the driest July since 1953.
This has been a fabulous summer so far. Kids are enjoying the spray parks, the outdoor pools are full, and there's no end to the sunny fun that can be had.
Including that favourite of summer traditions - camping.
But sunny skies and sizzling temperatures also bring problems, such as fire risks.
This year, despite the dry conditions, B.C. hasn't had a campfire ban as of yet. For the first month of summer, people could set up a tent and roast hot dogs to their heart's content.
That may change this weekend, but even if it doesn't, fire safety is something we all need to keep in mind at this time of year.
When camping, it is always best to take a "leave it as you found it" approach, and this includes making sure all campfires are properly doused so there's no risk of an errant spark igniting the surrounding trees or grass. It's also important to make sure the area around the campfire is free of brush.
But campfires aren't the only risk.
Plenty of brush fires and forest fires have been set by a cigarette tossed nonchalantly from a car window.
Last weekend, the Burnaby Fire Department had to put out three brush fires, as mentioned in our page 3 story.
We may live in a coastal city, but in this city, more than 24 per cent of our land is park and green spaces. During the hot and dry summer months, those areas are at risk.
Many of us take great pride in our green city - the lush forested conservation area on Burnaby Mountain, the lakes surrounded by trees and wildlife, the many city parks and play areas.
And we all have a role to play in protecting these spaces - and ensuring they don't go up in smoke.
