Thursday, March 28, 2024

Campers are ignoring the campfire ban despite wildfire warnings

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Seriously! People on the coast are ignoring the open burning ban on any open fires.

Over a two day period from July 15-17, more than 50 illegal fires were reported to the Coastal Fire Centre region, according to BC Wildfire Service.

That, of course, is on top of the 140 current wildfires blazing in southern and central British Columbia.

With recent fires on Vancouver Island finally being suppressed, islanders should proceed with extra caution.

Under current fire prohibitions, the ban includes:

  • Campfires.
  • Category 2 open fires.
  • Category 3 open fires.
  • The use of tiki torches, fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description.
  • Fires burning woody debris in outdoor stoves.
  • The use of binary exploding targets.

The ban does not include camping stoves that require gas, propane, or briquettes.

The fine for ignoring a campfire ban is $1150.

According to B.C.’s wildfire statistics, the province has spent an average of $182 million per year combating fires, with roughly 38% of fires being caused by humans.

 

Jeremy Weeres
Jeremy Weeres
Victoria Royals and hockey writer at Victoria Buzz

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