Campfires net $4.6K in fines

Photo: @_BCCOS

One of the campfires put out by the BC Conservation Service on Friday, resulting in a hefty fine.

Despite extreme fire danger ratings and fire bans throughout much of B.C., conservation officers handed out four fines on Friday for unlawful campfires in the East Kootenay region.

The BC Conservation Officer Service issued the fines, worth $4,600 altogether, while on fire ban patrol in campsites. 

BCCOS shared images on Twitter of two of the fires they had to put out.

"What were the campers thinking?" the post reads, noting there have been 252 wildfires recorded in the province's Southeast Fire Centre so far this season.

Campfires are currently restricted in five of the province's six fire centres; only in the Prince George Fire Centre are campfires still permitted.

On Friday, the BC Wildfire Service said there were 446 fires burning across the province.

Those found violating campfire bans anywhere in B.C. can be fined $1,150, and further penalties can include an administrative fine and a conviction in court. If a campfire leads to a wildfire, those responsible could have to pay for firefighting and associated costs.