Caution urged for campfire users this weekend
By Contributor
While there is no campfire ban within the Southeast Fire Centre, officials are urging extreme caution with campfires this long weekend and are assessing the situation on a daily basis.
Fire wardens and other officials will be patrolling the Southeast Fire Centre this weekend to ensure campfire safety and compliance as the forest and grasslands become drier and more susceptible to fire. These patrols will target high risk areas and ensure compliance with all other open burning restrictions within the Southeast.
Small, contained campfires, limited to 0.5 metres by 0.5 metres, are permitted and the public is reminded to have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water nearby to fully extinguish them. Other open burning restrictions, including burning barrels and fireworks, are in place.
Campers are reminded that failure to properly extinguish a campfire will result in a $345 fine. In addition, if their campfire escapes and causes a wildfire, they may be held liable for all resulting suppression costs and damages. As we enter the hotter, drier summer months when lightning storms are more frequent, it is critical that crews are not tied up responding to preventable human-caused fires.
Crews from the Southeast Fire Centre have responded to 111 wildfires since April 1, which together have burned 222 hectares.
The Southeast Fire Centre would like to remind the public that burning restrictions are in place across the centre. Although small, contained campfires – 0.5 metres by 0.5 metres – are permitted, the public is reminded to have hand tools or at least eight litres of water nearby to fully extinguish them. Burning barrels and fireworks are also restricted.
Almost half of all fires in B.C. are reported by the public. If you see smoke or flames, please call 1 800 663-5555 or dial *5555 on your cell phone. For further information, visit the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca.
