Extreme heat, smoky skies, wildfires and related devastation weren’t enough to convince everyone of the importance of the current fire ban.
On Friday night, July 2/3, the BC Conservation Officer Service issued fines to two individuals for having campfires, one in the Enderby area and the other in Vernon.
In both cases, fines of $1,150 were issued under the Wildfire Act.
Category 2 and 3 campfires were both prohibited as of noon on June 30. Those found in violation can be fined $1,150 and may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
According to the B.C. government, if a contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, those responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
North Okanagan BCCOS issued two tickets Friday night to individuals who lit campfires during the fire ban #Vernonbc #Salmonarm fines totalled $2300 pic.twitter.com/QUCHflhU8J
— BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) July 5, 2021
Conservation Officer Service personnel have been out enforcing the campfire ban. To report an illegal fire call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
