>>> Sooke wants you to pull some broom

The District of Sooke is once again mustering the public to give broom the boot.

Its annual broom drop-off program started Saturday and will continue to run every Saturday until May 25, with the drop-off station at the Sooke parks yard (2070 Kaltasin Rd.) open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Now is a prime time of year to cut and remove the invasive plant.

“Scotch broom, an invasive woody shrub introduced to southern Vancouver Island in the 1850s, poses ecological threats by competing with native plant species and altering soil chemistry,” the district said in a statement. “Its removal is important in reducing wildfire risks and preserving local biodiversity.’

Local “broom-busting” events are also held to root out broom, including one that brought volunteers to the Broomhill playground area April 26 — including members of the Friends of Sooke Parks Society, the Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society and the aptly named Sooke Broombusters.

In other outdoor news from Sooke, the backyard burning season came to a close last Tuesday.

The district’s fire regulation bylaw prohibits backyard burning from May 1 to Oct. 31.

“Despite recent light rain, conditions remain seasonally dry and projections suggest even drier weather in the coming months,” the district said. “This underscores the importance of exercising caution and following regulations diligently.”

Backyard campfires are still allowed pending direction from the B.C. Wildfire Service or the fire chief.

The campfires should be no more than 60 centimetres in diameter.