Fireworks? You're kidding!

Photo: RCMP

A Williams Lake man who set off fireworks has been slapped with over $1,000 in fines.

It may be hot, dry and dangerous but that didn't stop a Williams Lake man who celebrated his return to town after a wildfire evacuation order was lifted by setting off fireworks early Saturday morning, police report.

His actions  prompted an immediate emergency response.

RCMP officers arrested the intoxicated male after vigilant members of the community reported fireworks being set off in the Carson Road area.

Police identified the alleged perpetrator after finding several empty fireworks canisters on the man’s property.

“The 34-year-old Williams Lake man later told police that he set the fireworks off in celebration of returning home after his evacuation,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, RCMP spokesperson. “It is careless acts such as this that have the real potential to trigger even more interface wildfires in the area.”

O'Donaghey said the man sobered up overnight in RCMP cells.

The man was later released from custody but fined in excess of $1,000 for allegedly dropping, releasing or mishandling a burning substance, as well as for failing to comply with high risk activity restrictions under the BC Wildfire Act.

“RCMP wish to thank those astute members of the community who called in the complaint, had this man’s actions been overlooked the outcome could have been dire for the entire community,” O'Donaghey said.

The Cariboo region has seen more land burned this wildfire season than any other area of the province, according to the BC Wildfire Service.