Campfire patrols being conducted this weekend
By Nelson Daily Editor
With human-caused fires being the worst cause of forest fires in the Southeast Fire Centre district this year, fire wardens will be out in full force this hot and dry weekend to help prevent any more.
Wardens and other fire officials will be patrolling the West Kootenay and Boundary parks and campgrounds this weekend to ensure campfire safety and compliance.
These patrols will target high-risk areas and ensure enforcement within areas such as Boundary and Christina Lake, where 26 abandoned campfires were found this season.
Failure to properly extinguish a campfire carries a $345 fine with it. In addition, if a campfire escapes and causes a wildfire, people may be held liable for all resulting suppression costs and damages.
The fire danger rating is moderate to high throughout most of the Southeast Fire Centre region with a spot of extreme located in the Boundary area.
“Campfires are still allowed in the Southeast Fire Centre, but I don’t want people to start being complacent just because we haven’t had a busy fire season,” said Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson.
People should never leave a campfire unattended and remember what constitutes a legal campfire: They can be no larger than a half-metre by a half-metre, and at least eight litres of water or hand tools must be nearby to properly extinguish them.
Quick facts
- There are currently open burning restrictions within the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. For information on burn restrictions, please visit: http://bcwildfire.ca
- Since April 1, the Southeast Fire Centre has responded to 72 wildfires, consuming a total of 39 hectares. Twenty-nine of those fires are confirmed as human-caused.
- A total of 127 campfire incidents have been reported in the Southeast Fire Centre. The five-year average for this time of year is 119.
- To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellphone or toll-free to 1 800 663-5555.
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