Fines imposed for campfires
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Updated: August 12, 2009 6:04 PM
Campers who want to enjoy the warmth of a fire will be hit with stiff fines as compliance officers work to enforce wildfire prevention restrictions.
Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell said the restrictions include a complete ban on campfires.
“When people are getting fines, they will pick up the message that we are serious about this,” he explained.
Violation tickets will range from $173 to $345.
“British Columbia continues to face severe wildfire conditions and everyone needs to do their part,” Bell said. “That means no campfires, no fireworks, and no careless discarding of cigarette butts. And if you ignore any of the bans, don’t think you’ll get off with a verbal warning. You can expect a fine.”
He said he noticed the need for strict enforcement after a recent camping trip in the Shuswap.
Despite dry conditions, he noticed some campers starting a fire in the forest canopy. Later, he also observed fireworks being set off.
“We need to take stronger action.” Bell said.
The fines will not just affect the people who start a fire.
“If you’re sitting at the campfire, you’re as responsible as anyone and you will get the fine,” he said.
Between July 24 and Aug. 3, officials with the Ministry of Forests and Range issued 54 tickets and discovered and extinguished 100 campfires and five abandoned campfires.
On the long weekend, across the province, more than 100 people a day called in to report violations.
Bell said the last difficult year with forest fires came six years ago.
“I think we’ve learned a lot since 2003,” he said. “Prevention is the key to reducing the risk.”
Normally, about half of the wildfires in the province are caused by human activity while the rest are the result of lightning strikes.
Bell said the challenge with human-caused fires come from not knowing where they will start. During lightning activity. crews are able to monitor where a fire may start.
In addition to the fire ban, B.C. residents are being asked to avoid all unnecessary travel to backcountry areas because of the extreme fire risk.
Around the province this year, there have been 222 fires of 10 hectares or larger, with 42 of those in the Kamloops Fire Centre’s coverage area.
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