The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) has reported issuing fines totaling almost $30,000 to campers who violated campfire bans on the South Coast during the recent B.C. Day long weekend. A social media post by the service revealed that 26 violation tickets, each amounting to $1,150, were issued to campers in the Coastal Fire Centre from Friday to Monday. Calvin Rochon, a conservation officer based in Squamish, disclosed that 16 tickets were handed out in the Sea-to-Sky region over the extended weekend, with multiple individuals receiving citations at certain campfires.
Rochon emphasized the need for people to respect wildfire restrictions and closures to preserve the province’s natural resources. Additionally, two violation tickets were given to individuals caught accessing restricted areas near the Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island. The officer highlighted that being in such areas and having fires were both in defiance of regulations.
Since the implementation of the campfire ban on the South Coast on July 17, officers have observed a marked increase in non-compliance. The ban excludes Haida Gwaii and parts of the Central Coast, such as Bella Coola. Campfires falling under Category 1 fires, as per the B.C. Wildfire Service, must not exceed half a meter in height and width, although outdoor stoves are still permitted despite the ban.
Christi Howes, a fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, underscored that human-caused fires, particularly open fires, pose a significant risk and can divert crucial resources from managing natural or existing wildfires. Howes explained that fire prohibitions play a critical role in reducing the likelihood of further human-caused fires, especially during periods of high temperatures and dry conditions, such as those experienced this month.
Provincial officials noted that recent rain would only provide temporary relief by resetting conditions on a small scale. While the rain allows for more direct firefighting efforts in the short term, it does not eliminate the hazard for the entire province throughout the fire season. Violators of fire bans could face a $1,150 violation ticket, administrative penalties up to $10,000, or fines up to $100,000 and a year in jail if convicted in court. The responsible party for triggering a wildfire may also be liable for all firefighting costs, potentially amounting to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
Rochon stressed the immense public safety risk associated with violating fire regulations and urged compliance until fires are allowed again. Larger Category 2 and Category 3 fires, including substantial stubble fires and large burn piles, are already prohibited across B.C. The ban is set to remain in effect until October 31, with the possibility of early rescindment in the event of significant rainfall or lower temperatures.