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.