This past weekend, the BC Conservation Officers Service (COS) issued $21,850 in fines while conducting campfire ban patrols.
“Unfortunately, numerous illegal fires were discovered,” wrote COS in a social media post.
“Claiming you didn’t know about the campfire ban is not an acceptable excuse.”
The $21,850 in fines stemmed from 19 violation tickets being issued throughout the province.
Victoria Buzz asked COS how many violation tickets were issued on Vancouver Island and how much of the cost could be attributed to island-based infractions, but COS could not provide that information as of this publication.
There is currently a fire ban for all types of fires in most regions of coastal BC with the exception of Haida Gwaii, where campfires are still permitted, but larger burns have been prohibited.
On Vancouver Island, the campfire ban has been in effect steadily since July 17th.
The fire ban is all-encompassing for parks, campsites and all land that lies within the fire prohibition map, with the exception of municipalities.
Municipalities, local governments and First Nations set their own localized fire bans.
The Coastal Fire Centre is reminding British Columbians that anyone having an open fire during this prohibition may face a ticket for $1,150, which is what COS handed out for the 19 illegal fires over the weekend.
Furthermore, those caught in contravention of the prohibition may have to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
If an open fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may have to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
This year’s prohibition will be in place until October 31st, or until the order is rescinded.
Currently, there are 126 active wildfires in BC, three of which are located on Vancouver Island.
To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
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