Campers fined for illegal fires amid B.C. wildfire crisis

The B.C. Conservation Offer Service says it issued multiple tickets for illegal campfires over the weekend as the province’s record-breaking wildfire season rages on.

According to a tweet from the service, it issued seven tickets for $1,150 each in the Kootenay and South Coast regions — amounting to $8,050 in fines.

https://twitter.com/_BCCOS/status/1693774255597682772

Campfires are currently banned in the Coastal Fire Centre — with the exception of Haida Gwaii — and the Kamloops Fire Centre.

The BC Wildfire Service splits the province up into six fire centres. Prohibitions on campfires and open burning can vary by region. (Courtesy: BC Wildfire Service.)

In B.C. campfires are only allowed in areas that fall in the Northwest Fire Centre or the Prince George Fire Centre.

Open burning of any kind is banned across the province as well.

Related article:

• ‘This isn’t a suggestion, it is the law’: B.C. urges people to obey wildfire orders

• Heart-shaped Tofino beach fire sparks wildfire safety controversy

Wildfires have been wreaking havoc across the province this season, as a total of 1,877 wildfires have burned approximately 1,744,419 hectares of land since April 1.

As of Monday evening, there are 314 active wildfires in B.C. — most of which were caused by lightning according to the BC Wildfire Service.