Local residents taking in the Canada Day long weekend could choose to light a camp-fire.
BC’s Wildfire Service is reminding everyone to prevent extreme incidents when starting any kind of small blaze.
Fire Information Officer Amanda Reynolds explains some precautions everyone should consider.
“We are asking the public to be making sure that their camp-fire is no larger than half-metre high by half-metre wide, and, first and foremost, to never leave a camp-fire unattended.”
Since the beginning of April, the Service has reported to 237 wildfires across the province, with two-thirds of them being caused by people.
Reynolds adds there’s usually a spike for incidents during this time of year.
“It is your responsibility to make sure that your camp-fire is properly extinguished. We’re also reminding anyone riding an all-terrain vehicle that they should have a spark arrestor installed, stay on dirt paths and avoid tall grass to reduce the wildfire risk.”
She also advises smokers to dispose cigarette butts and other materials properly.
According to BC Wildfire, anyone found responsible for an open burning prohibition could receive a fine up to $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000, or a fine of $100,000 and one year in jail if convicted in court.
Right now, camp-fires are currently permitted in the Prince George Fire Centre.
NEW: Help prevent wildfires on the Canada Day long weekend, https://t.co/q0yXwj5kgC @BCGovFireInfo #BCWildfire #BC
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) June 28, 2017
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