Backyard burning snuffed year-round in Port Alberni Alberni & Region, Page 3
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Wednesday, July 29, 2015
WEATHER
PUBLIC HEALTH
Welcome rainfall just a drop in an empty bucket
Alberni tiptoes around Neighbours concerned but city has to follow protocol ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Island on the lower mainland, as well as in the “Fog Zone” and on Haida Gwaii. All other types of open fires are still prohibited, including backyard burning. B.C. Wildfire Management fire information officer Marg Drysdale said the Dog Mountain fire will be removed as a fire of note this week. “It is doing what is expected but we will continue to patrol for a period of time,” Drysdale said. “We will continue to investigate whether the slope instability is still an issue. That is standard practice for a fire of this size.” The evacuation notice issued from the ACRD for cabin owners on the mountain has been extended until August 2. MacDonald said the Valley is not expected to get any precipitation until the latter part of the first week of August.
The city is struggling to get a response from the owner of an Uptown property that is becoming a public health concern. The vacant 4924 Argyle St. has a stucco finish falling from its exterior and extensive mould throughout the structure’s first floor. The smell has created concern among employees working at a next-door business, who sent a petition to city council this month asking the issue to be attended to. Cindy McAnerin has noticed a mouldy smell from the building for the last year while working next door. She said the building has been vacant since a TV repair shop moved out three months ago, but most of the property has been unoccupied for years. “We have clients/patrons to our work place complain of the odour regularly,” she wrote in a recent letter to council. “We have serious health and safety concerns regarding exposure to mould on a regular basis.” Local government has tried to contact the owner over the last month with no success, said city planner Scott Smith. Now a serving agency is being used to track down the landlord. “We have written a letter, we have a registered letter, and we are in the process of trying to serve the owner,” said Smith. “We’re just trying to take every step to notify this person to make sure that the person has received the letter, and that we can prove that the person has received the correspondence.” The building is owned by Irene Wenngatz, a Nanaimo resident who has owned multiple properties in the Alberni Valley, according to sources that asked not to be identified by the Times.
Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net
See HAZARD, Page 3A
Residents are reminded that regional trails and parks remain closed to hiking and recreational use because of the drought conditions the Valley continues to face. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
Residents warned drought conditions persist KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
P
ort Alberni, like most of Vancouver Island and southern B.C. is still very much experiencing drought conditions despite cooler temperatures and a bit of rainfall. There is likely not an end in sight for the near future. The weekend rain on Friday and Sunday was only a combined 6 mm, bringing July’s total precipitation to 24.8 mm. The normal for July in the Alberni Valley is 31.3 mm. “July was a big improvement from May and June,” said Matt MacDonald, meteorologist with Environment Canada. “But because drought develops over months, we are still feeling the pain of the past three months.” Since May, Port Alberni has recorded just 40.4 mm of rain, compared to the normal amount of 191 mm. Over the weekend, some parts
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“But because the drought develops over months, we are still feeling the pain of the past three months.” Matt MacDonald, Environment Canada
of the Island received between 10 to 20 mm, while southern B.C. saw up to 30 mm. MacDonald said that helped slightly in the tinder-dry forests. “The main benefit is that it reduced the forest fire danger,” he said. “We are still in a drought because we are still in a deficit for precipitation. To get the type of rain we need at this time of year is difficult. It will likely be September or October that we see any alleviation.” MacDonald said the Valley can expect temperatures to gradually rise this week, topping at a high
of 32 degrees. Conscious efforts to reduce water consumption must still be made, he said. “None of the municipalities have reduced the water conservation regulations because this is still just a drop in a very empty bucket,” MacDonald said. City and Beaver Creek residents are still required to follow Stage 2 water restrictions. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is continuing the closure of regional parks and trails until further notice. Users are advised to check the ACRD website for updates. A partial campfire ban was lifted Tuesday, just in time for the long weekend. On Vancouver Island, campfires will be permitted north of Robson Bight, in the Nimpkish Valley and north of Nordstrom Creek on the Brooks Peninsula. Campfires are also allowed north of Knight Inlet to Princess Royal
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