A slash fire for the disposal of trees and underbrush on Kwikwetlem First Nation land off Pitt River Road in Port Coquitlam is not breaking any rules, according to the Port Coquitlam fire chief.
PoCo fire has received numerous calls about the blaze that can be seen from the road as a smoky haze and attended four times over the week, said Chief Nick Delmonico.
But the land is not controlled by city regulations so the PoCo fire department has no jurisdiction.
However, efforts have been made to ensure the blaze adheres to current provincial fire bas and restrictions.
“It’s not like they’re errantly burning something,” Delmonico said, noting that the fire is of a size and depth that is allowable under a Category 2 fire restriction and materials being burned are organic. As well, a water truck was on hand 24 hours a day.
Burning started on Monday and continued through the week.
