Pubdate: Sun, 13 Mar 2005 Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Surrey Leader Contact: http://www.surreyleader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236 Author: Kevin Diakiw Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) POT FIRES INCREASING In 2003, one out of every 20 house fires in Surrey was caused by a marijuana grow operation, a five-fold increase from seven years prior. In addition, the amount of damage caused by the blazes almost doubled (from $31,000 to $59,000 per fire) from 1997 to 2003. The figures come from a report by the University College of the Fraser Valley titled Marijuana Growing Operations in British Columbia Revisited, 1997-2003. The report indicates "Surrey has surpassed Vancouver as the most prolific jurisdiction (for grow operations) in the province." With that comes significant firefighting challenges, according to Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis. "Clearly it's very disturbing to us," Garis said Friday. "It's clear to us the current system is not working." In marijuana grow operations, wiring bypasses the fuse boxes, which cuts power to the house. The potential for live wires in the home creates another hazard for fire crews attempting to douse the blaze. "Once the firefighters find it's a marijuana grow operation, the operation at times has to change, because of concerns about energy and their safety," Garis said. The marijuana grow operations at times also contain booby traps, such as firearms with tripwires. "It's a public safety issue," Garis said, adding statistically a marijuana grow operation is 25 times more likely to catch fire. Garis is beginning a pilot project in Surrey that will allow Hydro to cut power to a home that's suspected as a marijuana grow operation. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom