The number of call outs the Williams Lake Fire Department has responded to so far this year has risen.
From January First to May 6th, Fire Chief Evan Dean said they’ve had a total of 96 calls for service compared to 79 at this same time last year.
“Compared to the same period last year from January first until today (Tuesday) we’ve actually had a thirty-six percent increase in the total number of calls. Twenty-one percent over March and April compared to 2023.”
Dean said the big change the Williams Lake Fire Department has seen is in smoke reports wildland fire reports, and just general burning complaints in the community that definitely suggests to us that the public is obviously a little bit on edge given the dry weather that we’ve had so far.
Looking closer at the numbers:
2023 2024
MVIs 10 8
Structure Fire 7 4
Vehicle Fire 2 4
Smoke Reports 1 7
Dumpster Fire 5 5
Burning complaints 4 13
Dean reminds the public Category 2 and 3 Fire bans are in effect for the region, that means no fires beyond the size of a campfire, and if anybody is within City limits, any campfires have to comply with City regulations.