Fishing ban as well as fire

A relentless heat wave has forced the province to suspend fishing in parts of B.C. while imposing a total ban on open burning.

The Forests Ministry has announced a Level 4 drought rating for southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, meaning water supplies are insufficient to meet the needs of communities and ecosystems.

All fishing has been suspended in streams and rivers in that area because of low river levels and high water temperatures.

The ministry says it is watching 75 other key angling streams across B.C., and that the fishing ban could be extended if conditions warrant.

"It is important that we are able to react quickly to protect vulnerable fish stocks," Forests Minister Steve Thomson said Friday in a news release.

Usually moist Haida Gwaii, as well as Metro Vancouver, the Sea to Sky and Sunshine Coast areas, the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon are all at a Level 3 drought rating, requiring residents to try and cut water use by another 20 per cent over regular reductions.

Metro Vancouver has responded to the record-breaking heat wave by moving the region to the second stage of its four-stage plan to handle water shortages


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