The dry conditions and extreme fire danger rating mean that a fire that starts outside of city limits could quickly become a danger to Cranbrook. Fire Chief Wayne Price wrote to council that significant wildfire deployment in the area has reduced available wildfire suppression staff, delaying or limiting responses.
At Monday’s meeting, a Memorandum was put forward by Price and signed by Mayor Lee Pratt on July 7.
“Basically what it is, is because of the extreme fire hazard rating in and around the City of Cranbrook, the fire chief just wants to be able to tell our fire department if need be, that they can attend a fire if it’s endangering the city although it might be out of city limits — out of our jurisdiction,” Pratt said.
“It’s giving him the authority to have our fire department attend and help out there where we can to hopefully prevent any further damage to the City of Cranbrook.”
The memorandum exercises the authority of sub-section 3.2. of City of Cranbrook Fire Services Bylaw No. 3676.
“This sub-section provides the ability for Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services to extend service beyond its jurisdictional boundary with the prior approval of the mayor, on behalf of council if the mayor advises council at the next meeting of council,” Pratt read, “which I am doing tonight.”
The authorization will remain in effect until further notice and response will be at the discretion of the Director of Fire and Emergency Services or officer in charge.
The memorandum was received for information.