The weekend heats up in some areas of the West Kootenay as human-caused fires still a concern
By Timothy Schafer
If you are headed west to the Boundary country or north to the Arrow Lakes region this long weekend don’t take your matches or lighter with you.
The tinder dry aspects of those regions — and not much in the way of moisture coming in the next while — means the fire danger in those areas has risen from high to extreme, according to the Southeast Fire Centre serving the West Kootenay.
However, the fire risk is low to moderate in the Kootenay Lake area — which includes Nelson — Columbia to the east, Invermere and the Cranbrook fire regions.
Fire officials are urging campers and hunters to use extreme caution this long weekend and are cautioned that if unsafe fire use is observed, a campfire ban may be implemented.
“However, almost half of the fires in the Southeast Fire Centre have been as a result of carelessness. I am urging people to be vigilant with any outdoor burning and to remember that a wildfire can start in an instant, even in cooler weather,” said Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson.
Enforcement personnel will be on patrol to ensure campfire compliance and safety. So far this year there have been 44 person-caused wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre, diverting critical resources away from managing naturally occurring fires.
A total of 256 campfire incidents have been reported in the Southeast Fire Centre. The five-year average for this time of year is 177.
Since April 1, the Southeast Fire Centre has responded to 102 wildfires, consuming a total of 40 hectares. Fifty-eight of those were caused by lightning.
Leaving a campfire unattended can result in a $345 fine. In addition, if your campfire escapes and causes a wildfire, you may be held liable for all resulting suppression costs and damages.
Thanks to the unsettled weather and cool conditions in most of the province, however, this fire season has been one of the slowest on record.
- Currently there are open burning restrictions within the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. For information on burn restrictions, visit: http://bcwildfire.ca.
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