When campfire bans and burning bans are implemented in British Columbia, it is a sign that there is a significant wildfire risk.
This year, a provincewide campfire ban has been in effect since July 12, but despite that ban, some have continued to have campfires.
A camper in southeastern British Columbia was given a $1,150 fine for a campfire in August. Another camper in the South Okanagan was issued a fine of the same, again for having a campfire.
Those fines are noticeable, but the costs could have been much worse if the fire had spread to become a wildfire.
It is possible for those found responsible for starting a wildfire in British Columbia to be made to pay the entire cost of firefighting operations and the value of lost timber, in addition to other fines and possible jail times.
In recent years, wildfires have become a significant problem in British Columbia, and the costs of wildfire management are in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
At present, the province is experiencing its fourth worst wildfire season on record. In the Okanagan and southeastern British Columbia, wildfire crews have been called to battle blazes, with some of the fires coming close to homes and populated areas. In the northeastern part of the province, evacuations have been necessary as fires have threatened towns and communities.
The devastation caused by this year鈥檚 wildfire season has been significant.
So far this year, more than two-thirds of the fires recorded since April 1 have been the result of lightning strikes, but almost one-quarter are the result of human activity.
Lightning strikes cannot be prevented, but it is possible to reduce the number of fires caused by human activity.
It is time to reconsider the tradition of a campfire, especially during hot and dry conditions during the summer.
It is time to respect campfire and burning bans, as these restrictions are in place to reduce the wildfire damage in what has already turned into a destructive year.
鈥� Black Press Media
