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Vol. 120, Issue 37
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Dry conditions spark warning about outdoor burning
LIGHTS, CAMERA, CRASH!
BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Spring hasn't officially sprung, yet regional fire crews have already been called to douse a backyard grass fire. Fire Chief Terry Martin is reminding the public to be diligent if burning debris is part of spring clean-up this year. For those allowed to burn, he said to ensure enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and prevent it from escaping. At the beginning of March, a Fruitvale homeowner was burning off some dead field grass when a gust of wind spread the fire. The resident was able to control the flames until Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue was on scene, which helped contain the fire to a small area, Martin explained. “Our area has experienced some remarkable conditions for quite some time now, causing the conditions to be extremely dry.” he said. “With the extended forecast showing little precipitation, we must all be careful during this run of early spring conditions.” The unseasonably mild temperatures, and low relative humidity had the Southeast Fire Centre issuing a similar message Friday. Warm temperatures and rapid snow melt uncovers dried grass from last summer, which is highly flammable material that can easily spark a wildfire. Almost all wildfires this time of year are caused by people, prompting the centre to ask all residents to exercise caution with any outdoor burning activities due to the increased risk in the region. Residential property owners in Area A and Area B are governed by the centre's open burning policy which allows small fires of twigs, grass leaves and other combustible materials. Where open burns are allowed, residents are advised to first check the venting conditions, which is a term used in air pollution meteorology, on the Environment Canada website. If the rating is poor or fair, then open burning is restricted. According to the centre's Castlegarbased office Monday, the venting index in the region is poor, measuring 11 on a scale of zero to 33. The City of Trail and Village of Fruitvale have a year-round ban on open burning, while the Village of Warfield does not require permits for open burning from Nov. 1 to April 30. See NEW, Page 3
LIZ BEVAN PHOTO
Caelum Scott holds the camera as it captures Arlo Stevens performing a stunt during Saturday's film workshop in Rossland. Over 20 teenagers took part in the workshop which taught young filmmakers how to put together a movie with stunts using camera magic, all while staying safe. The workshop was taught by Hollywood stuntman and Rossland resident Garvin Cross along with Scott Carlson of Juicy Studios ahead of the West Kootenay U-19 Film Festival in May.
Saturday bus to Castlegar and beyond rolls out March 21 BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Saturday shoppers without a set of wheels can catch a bus to Castlegar and on to Nelson beginning March 21. The BC Transit service includes three Saturday runs from Cedar Ave. and Spokane St. in downtown Trail at 8:50 a.m., 12:34 p.m. and 5:10 p.m. The 98 Columbia Connector will make stops along the highway in Rivervale, Fairview and Blueberry as well as Tempo
Gas in Genelle, before arriving at the Castlegar Community Complex at 9:17 a.m., 1:01 p.m. and 5:37 p.m. From there, the trip continues as the 33 to Selkirk College. At the college campus, further connections are available to the Playmor Junction and Nelson on the 99 Kootenay Connector at 9:36 a.m., 1:20 p.m. and 5:59 p.m. For those wishing a round trip, the last Saturday bus departs Nelson at Ward and Baker Streets at 5:07, then
from the Castlegar complex at 6:05 p.m., arriving in downtown Trail at 6:34 p.m. More information on the routes, and other ridership details are available on the BC Transit website, www.bctransit. com/west-kootenay. According to BC Transit's 2014 summary, there's been an overall regional increase of 2.6 per cent in ridership, and an increase in bus passes especially on the connector routes. See COMMUNITIES, Page 2
C o l u m b i a P o w e r is a place of great potential - a place where our employees shape their community and their future everyday. Visit columbiapower.org to learn why Columbia Power was named one of bC’s Top employers for 2015.
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