KELOWNA – The Conservation Officer Service says they’ve given out 11 tickets to people flouting the campfire ban in the North and Central Okanagan so far this month. Sgt. Josh Lockwood says overall compliance has been “fairly good” but they are still getting reports nightly about campfires.
“The concerning part for us is that we are receiving one to two complaints through the Kamloops Fire Centre a night of campfires that are burning in the evening. Our officers are responding to those complaints and ticketing those people,” he says.
Lockwood says the general public has been very good at reporting campfires.
Get breaking National news
Read More: B.C. conservation officers threatened by campers violating fire ban
He contends that if you aren’t prepared to be out in the back country without a campfire you shouldn’t be out.
“Cook fires, warmth fires are unacceptable at this time of year during the ban. If you are not prepared to go out and stay where it may cool down at night or you don’t have enough propane to cook…then you need to find something else.”
Those ticketed for ignoring the campfire ban face a $345 fine. Campfires are banned throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre area which includes the Okanagan. More information about what is covered under the ban is available here.
Comments