Vancouver Island fire department posts video showing how fast human-caused wildfires can spread
A Vancouver Island fire department is reminding British Columbians of the fire risks that are present across the province as wildfires sweep across the Interior and droughts grip parts of Vancouver Island.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Dashwood Fire Department, based out of Qualicum Beach, posted a video online of a small fire spreading quickly through dry grass, saying "one dropped cigarette" is enough to cause a wildfire.
The video was part of a demonstration, which took place outside of the fire department in a controlled location, the department said.
Within seconds, the fire can be seen burning through the patch of grass, with no signs of slowing down.
"This is all it takes to start a wildfire," wrote the fire department in the social media post.
As of Wednesday morning, there were 248 wildfires burning across the province, with 3,375 properties under evacuation orders.
On Tuesday, the Coastal Fire Centre urged residents to obey fire rules after conservation officers noticed a spike in illegal campfires in its jurisdiction, which includes of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast, Haida Gwaii and parts of the Lower Mainland.
"It's really something we need to nail down and need to make sure everyone's really diligent on as we get into these higher temperatures and even further drier conditions headed to the long weekend," said Matt Bell with the Coastal Fire Centre.
Bell added that a provincewide campfire ban has been in place since late June in B.C., and that conservation officers are immediately handing out $1,150 fines whenever they spot a campfire.
On Wednesday morning, Environment Canada posted heat warnings for parts of Vancouver Island, the southern Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast.
Heat warnings are in effect on eastern Vancouver Island, and special weather statements related to heat have been issued for the rest of the island, including Greater Victoria.
The high temperatures are expected to begin Wednesday and last until Sunday, with temperatures reaching 30 C in eastern Vancouver Island, and the high 20s to low 30s in Greater Victoria.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.