A morning grass fire adjacent to the Pat Bay Highway – likely caused by a burning cigarette – leaves a lingering visual reminder to residents that dry weather is here.
Saanich police and fire crews were called to the blaze at the Quadra Street exit Friday (June 6) morning, which was attributed to a lit butt tossed roadside into the dry grass and bushes.
“A reminder to those on the road, it is illegal to throw cigarette butts out a vehicle window. If caught you will receive a $575 ticket under the Provincial Wildfire Act,” Saanich police said in a social media post.
Heading into the weekend, Saanich’s fire safety rating was set at moderate but expected to become even drier with a coming heat wave.
A ridge of high pressure is expected to bring temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s with overnight lows in the low-to-mid teens starting Saturday. High temperatures will persist into early next week, according to Environment Canada.
