Almost $30K in fines issued to B.C. Day campers flouting fire bans

Defiant campers were issued a stark reminder that the province’s strict fire bans remain in place after almost $30,000 in fines were dished out over the B.C. Day long weekend.

The BC Conservation Officer Service says its officers issued 26 violation tickets at $1,150 a pop, totaling $29,900 in fines, across the first long weekend since campfire bans came into effect.

Flouters were particularly prevalent in the Sea-to-Sky zone, with officers issuing 16 tickets for a total of $18,400 in fines. At some campfires, multiple people were slapped with tickets.

On Vancouver Island, two tickets were issued for illegal campfires, the BC COS said. Two violation tickets were also handed out to people who had accessed a restricted area close to the Wesley Ridge wildfire.

The Wesley Ridge blaze, located on Cameron Lake between Port Alberni and Parksville, was first spotted July 31 and has since been deemed out of control.

During a press conference held Wednesday afternoon to address the province’s current wildfire and drought situation, B.C.’s Forest Minister Ravi Parmar passed comment on the numerous fines issued over the long weekend, noting the rule breaking as “unacceptable” behaviour.

“This kind of activity puts people and livelihoods at risk. We have to do better,” he said.

“Please stay vigilant and follow the fire prohibitions in your area.”

The ban, in effect since July 17, prohibits Category 2 and Category 3 open fires and will be in place until Oct. 31, or until the order is rescinded.