Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services has issued a notice to residents of Occupy Vancouver to remove some of the camp’s tents by 10 a.m. Friday.
With temperatures dropping, tent-city occupants have set up tarps enclosing multiple tents, posing a significant fire hazard, said Chief John McKearney.
“There must be full visibility, egress and access on a 24-7 basis,” he said.
The fire department issued the notice late Thursday afternoon, but McKearney could not specify how many tents will need to come down.
There are currently 100-odd tents erected, about half of which are unoccupied. Protesters will be responsible for identifying which tents can be taken down. Tents will also have to be redistributed throughout the site to create more fire lanes.
However, if occupants refuse, McKearney said the fire department will remove the tents.
The department previously told protesters that propane tanks are prohibited on site, but two tanks were discovered Thursday morning.
Mayor Gregor Robertson admitted his frustration with the encampment, as well as concerns over declining safety and health, but he is standing firm on his wait-and-see approach.
“(It will last) as long as it takes to end this peacefully without violence,” he said.
The order to remove tents came after an incident Thursday morning, in which emergency responders were called to the Vancouver Art Gallery after one of the protesters overdosed on heroin.
In other Occupy Vancouver news, the tent city continues to disrupt local life as the annual tree lighting, which takes place at the VAG, has been moved to the Jack Poole Plaza at the Convention Centre.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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