Hot weather has pushed the wildfire risk to extreme, and residents are reminded to use caution and adhere to the campfire ban. Photo by Richard McGuire
With hot and dry weather expected to continue in many parts of
B.C. over the long weekend and well into next week, Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson is reminding the
public to obey any campfire bans or open fire prohibitions in areas where
they live or visit.
On average, nearly half of all wildfires are caused by human activity and
can start from something as small as a carelessly discarded cigarette
butt. Motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle users should ensure that they
are using an approved spark arrestor and avoid parking on grass or at
sites where the exhaust system is near combustible material.
If a campfire is permitted in your area, it’s important to take the
following safety precautions. You may be held accountable for damages and
fire suppression costs if your negligence results in a wildfire.
* Bring a shovel or keep at least eight litres of water nearby to
properly extinguish your campfire.
* Campfires cannot be larger than 0.5 metres in height and 0.5 metres in
diameter.
* Do not light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather
can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible
material and start new fires.
* You must maintain a one-metre fireguard around the campfire. This is a
fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, kindling, etc.) have
been removed.
* Never leave a campfire unattended.
* Make sure that the campfire is completely extinguished and the ashes
are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
To find out if there are fire bans in your area, visit:
http://bcwildfire.ca/
