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Campers Fined $30,000 for Illegal Campfires in British Columbia
6 Aug
Summary
- Conservation officers issued 26 violation tickets worth $1,150 each over B.C. Day long weekend
- Campers accessed restricted areas near out-of-control wildfire, risking public safety
- High non-compliance with campfire bans despite extreme fire danger in the province
In the days leading up to and during the recent B.C. Day long weekend, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) has been cracking down on campers who violated campfire bans in the Coastal Fire Centre region. According to the service, they issued a total of 26 violation tickets, each amounting to $1,150, to campers over the three-day holiday.
The conservation officers reported seeing a "high volume of non-compliance" with the campfire restrictions that have been in place since July 17th. In some cases, campers were even found accessing restricted areas near the out-of-control Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island, putting themselves and the public at serious risk.
"We have beautiful natural resources here in the province and to keep them as they are and consider them, we need people to respect the wildfire restrictions and closures," said Squamish-based conservation officer Calvin Rochon. He emphasized that the fines, which can reach up to $100,000 and a year in jail if convicted in court, are necessary to deter reckless behavior that could spark devastating wildfires.
With the province experiencing historically dry conditions and high seasonal temperatures, fire officials are urging the public to strictly adhere to all fire prohibitions to prevent further strain on firefighting resources. The campfire ban is expected to remain in place until at least the end of October, though it could be lifted sooner if significant rainfall occurs.
