$9k in campfire ban tickets issued by B.C. conservation officers over weekend

As conditions across most of B.C. remain hot and dry, it seems some people continue to ignore just how volatile the wildfire situation is.

The BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) says it handed out $9,200 in campfire ban tickets over just one weekend in connection with eight “unlawful campfires.”

“Across BC, Conservation Officers are supporting the BC Wildfire Service with enforcement patrols,” the BCCOS said on social media.

The entirety of B.C., except for Haida Gwaii, is currently under a category 1 campfire ban — prohibiting even the smallest of campfires. An extended order was issued Monday, though prior to that, most regions were already under such bans.

In addition to the fines, the BCCOS says it also issued 12 warnings over the weekend.

“Campfires can lead to wildfires that threaten natural resources and communities, putting public safety at risk,” the service wrote.

According to the province, a category 1 campfire is defined as a fire that is “no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.” It is also a fire that is “used by any person for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for a ceremonial purpose.”

Category 2 and 3 open burning is currently prohibited in all areas of the province.

“For some context, we had a extended wildfire season last year, 2022. We had a very dry winter and then we had an early summer-like-condition spring,” explained BC Wildfire Service fire information officer Erika Berg.

Related articles: 

• Water restrictions likely on the way as B.C. faces drought: Minister

• Campfire ban issued for almost all of B.C. amid surge in wildfires

• Canada and B.C. facing ‘worst wildfire season in 100 years’: Eby

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were more than 300 wildfires in B.C. The vast majority of them were caused by lightning, the BC Wildfire Service said.

It noted fire numbers have grown substantially due to a dramatic increase in lightning strikes, with dozens of fires sparked at the start of the week.

Outside of lightning, the service said about 20 wildfires are believed to be human-caused, while nearly 40 remain under investigation.

“When we’re in this stage where we’re seeing widespread wildfire activity, in this case ignited by lighting but, regardless, widespread activity, we cannot afford to have any human-caused wildfires. Mother Nature kind of takes over here and starts all these fires across the province and we can’t afford to take any of those resource and have their attention diverted,” Berg said.

“A lot of human-caused wildfires aren’t the result of intentionally starting a wildfire. So even though people may go in with the best of intentions, the reality is that fires can escape, fires can get away from us when we’re in particular conditions when fuels are super hot and dry. Even a little spark getting away, an ember getting away can result in that taking off.”

In an update Tuesday, Premier David Eby said B.C. and Canada were facing the worst wildfire season in 100 years. Drought levels are also adding to concerns in B.C.

-With files from James Paracy and Cole Schisler