Vancouver’s fire chief said it appears improperly discarded cigarettes sparked two fires in Stanley Park on Monday.
Karen Fry, chief of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, said Tuesday that smouldering butts quickly sparked fires in nearby tree trunks along Cathedral Trail north of Lost Lagoon.
Crews responded quickly, pulling their hose through the forest to reach the flames.
Fry is reminding smokers to refrain from lighting up in the park and urging others to be vigilant.
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“People cannot smoke in our parks, they cannot have open flames, and even if you’re smoking on our streets and in your community, do not just toss your cigarettes or your cigarette butts,” she said.
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“They need to be extinguished properly.”
Fry said Vancouver fire crews have responded to 23 fires in the Stanley Park area since June.
On Friday, officials announced the park will be temporarily closed between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. until the risk of fire has been reduced significantly.
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