Hold on to your butts… or at least don’t recklessly discard them.
The British Columbia government is sending out a message encouraging people to responsibly dispose of cigarette butts and to follow proper campfire protocol — among a handful of other recommendations — as the upcoming long weekend approaches. The aim: to mitigate wildfire risk.
“Unseasonably warm and dry conditions in parts of the province this spring have resulted in higher fire danger ratings in some areas, so British Columbians are urged to exercise caution with any allowed fire use over the Canada Day long weekend,” the message, sent as a news release, reads.
“B.C.’s landscapes can dry out quickly and sometimes it doesn’t take much to spark a wildfire. Human-caused fires are completely preventable and unnecessarily divert crucial firefighting resources away from naturally occurring wildfires.”
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The B.C. Wildfire Service responded to 405 wildfires between April 1 and June 26, according to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. About 70 per cent — or 293 — of those fires are suspected to be caused by people.
Residents and vacationers planning to start a campfire are urged to follow proper safety and precautions. Smokers must dispose of cigarette butts and other smoking material responsibly. And those planning to light fireworks should know that some regions prohibit the devices.
According to the ministry, anyone who lights a campfire is legally responsible for making sure the fire does not escape.
Campfires are currently permitted throughout the province — at least within the B.C. Wildfire Service’s jurisdiction — but the ministry is encouraging people to check with their local governments for any potential burning restrictions or bylaws.
Natural resource and conservation officers conduct regular patrols, looking out for high-risk activities, the ministry’s message reads.
