Extreme fire risk puts Westshore's Halloween bonfires on hold this year

Due to extreme weather conditions, fire halls across the Westshore are cancelling long-standing annual Halloween bonfires for the third year in a row. The previous two cancellations were pandemic-related.

Colwood’s fire department is still deliberating. “With the weather, if there’s a large dump of water, there’s a chance that it could happen,” said firefighter Jeff Roy. “It’s going to be conditional based off the fire rating closer to the event.”

Up in Highlands, the decision has already been made.

“It didn’t seem like it would be a safe maneuver to have fireworks and a bonfire in the current conditions,” said Jason Shuttinga, assistant Chief of the Highlands Fire Department.

Earlier this month, fire crews fought off a forest fire along Finlayson Arm, just south of Gowlland Tod Park. It ignited on Oct. 2 and was only extinguished Oct. 11.

Instead, a trick-or-treat and and an open house are planned at the Highlands Fire Department’s West hall on Oct. 30.

A member of the fire department for the past 15 years, Shuttinga says he’s been going to the Halloween bonfires held by the department for as long as he can remember.

They’re hoping to have a bonfire next year if weather conditions allow.

It’s a similar story in Metchosin, where Halloween bonfires have been burning for at least 15 years. The Metchosin fire department will be continuing its drive-through trick-or-treat Halloween event that began at the start of the pandemic. The event has received great feedback from the community and the department is considering continuing on running it in the coming years, said Metchosin firefighter Gloria Legour.

Langford’s fire department once threw Halloween bonfires too, but they stopped doing them in the 90s. The bonfires were held at the ball field behind Langford’s #2 fire hall before it was rebuilt, said Kathy Bell, a secretary with Langford’s fire department.

This year, the festivities will be concentrated at Langford Station, where local businesses and firefighters will hand out candy and serve hot dogs while live bands play on Oct. 31.

As for fireworks, Westshore residents in Colwood, Langford, View Royal, and Highlands must pass an online fireworks safety course before applying for a permit with their local fire department.

Langford, View Royal, and Highlands will not be issuing fireworks permits this year. Metchosin’s fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop has told residents to be prepared for no fireworks this year, but has not issued a formal ban. A final decision will be made today on whether Sooke will allow fireworks for Halloween this year.

The region has received barely any rain in recent months, and that’s expected to bring possible long-term effects on the environment. But for now, the immediate impact will be uncertainty on whether there will be fireworks on Halloween and a distinct lack of bonfires at fire halls across the Westshore.