As campfire restrictions remain in effect in much of B.C., conservation officers say some people have had a hard time being compliant—with $19,550 in fines handed out over the last two weeks. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says that total represents 17 violation tickets for illegal fires. People caught violating a campfire ban face a $1,150 fine, and potentially an additional administrative penalty of up to $10,000. “As you head out this weekend to enjoy our beautiful backcountry, don’t be part of the problem,” reads an update from the BCCOS. “Protect our communities, forests, and wildlife from preventable fires.” In late July, the BCCOS said officers issued $21,850 in fines for illegal fires over the course of a single weekend. The provincial government splits B.C. into six fire centres, three of which have campfires completely restricted as of Saturday afternoon—the Cariboo, Kamloops, and Southeast fire centres. Campfires are prohibited in parts of the Coastal fire centre as well, notably in the Chilliwack, Sea to Sky, and South Island forest districts, as well as Manning Park. Campfires are classified as category 1 fires, which burn no larger than 0.5 metres tall or wide. Those convicted in court for starting illegal fires can face even steeper fines of up to $100,000, plus a potential sentence of one year in jail. In the event an illegal campfire causes a wildfire, those responsible can also be on the hook for any subsequent firefighting costs. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, 15 of the province’s 208 actively burning wildfires are believed to have been human caused. With files from Lisa Steacy
