By Dominic Abassi

Closure of some recreation areas considered as illegal campfires persist

Jul 21, 2017 | 12:34 AM

NANAIMO — Watching B.C.’s interior burn and thousands flee their homes is apparently not enough to stop people in our region from lighting illegal fires.

Fire information officer Marg Drysdale said more than 50 illegal campfires were reported to the Coastal Fire Centre between July 15 and July 17 alone. That’s despite a ban on all open burning and a fire danger rating of extreme in the mid-island region.

“It’s very troubling to us we’re still seeing these numbers. Enforcement will be stepped up, there will be increased patrols,” Drysdale told NanaimoNewsNOW, adding problem areas will be targetted and more fines will be handed out.

She said there have been reports of people putting out fires after enforcement officers step in, only to re-light them once officers walk away. If specific recreation sites continue to see illegal campfires, Drysdale said they will consider closing them to the public.

“We want people to understand this is not something we’re taking lightly. We don’t want to close areas…but if we continue to have issues it is something we can go ahead and do.”

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While she didn’t have the exact number, Drysdale said several fines of $1,150 have been levied in the Coastal zone. Those fines can apply to even people sitting around an illegal fire, not just the person who started it.

Ignorant campers aren’t the only ones seemingly unaware of the tinder dry conditions. Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said their detachment is fielding around six calls every day about cigarette butts being thrown from car windows.

“We’re getting posts to social media, there’s a little bit of public shaming going on as well. Understandably people are very upset,” O’Brien said.

The offence is punishable by a $575 ticket. O’Brien said while a number of warnings have been doled out, no one has received a fine.

“We’ll always ask them why. It’s just out of sheer stupidity or the fact they’re lazy. They’re not thinking about the consequences of their actions,” he said.

More than 150 fires were burning in the province on Thursday and about 43,000 people remained out of their homes. More than 3,500 square kilometres of land have been scorched by wildfires this year.

Drysdale noted 56 of the 59 fires in the Coastal Fire Centre this season have been person-caused. A CFC spokesperson previously said it’s believed a person is to blame for a wildfire which grew to nearly one-hectare in Harewood on July 17.

Drysdale reminded people to remain vigilant, pointing out the isolated showers in the forecast this week will do little to dampen the forest floor.

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi