Man issued $1,150 fine after illegal campfire near Oliver spread

Photo: Sebastian Kanally - file photo

A man was recently handed a $1,150 fine after his illegal campfire spread to nearby grass in the Oliver area.

Emergency crews responded to a grass fire Monday evening at about 9:40 p.m. on West Avenue, west of Oliver.

In a press release Wednesday afternoon, Sgt. Jason Bayda of the Osoyoos RCMP Detachment said the fire had spread from a campfire, despite the fire ban that's currently in place across the province.

Fire crews were able to quickly douse the fire before it spread further.

Sgt. Bayda says police were able to identify a 45-year-old man who had been staying in the area through camping equipment and identification that had been left behind.

The man appears to have fled the scene when the campfire got away from him, but he later returned to grab his belongings and officers handed him a $1,150 ticket.

“This is another example of how fast fire can spread in this heat and why the fire ban is in effect,” Sgt. Bayda said.

“We thank and give credit to the Oliver Fire Department for their quick response, ensuring this fire did not spread further”.