KELOWNA – Despite the rain, an unattended fire or even a smouldering fire pit, can turn into a devastating wildfire. That’s the message from fire crews and police on Monday after they found an unattended smouldering fire pit, among other things in the hills above the Wilden area of Kelowna.
“A significant mess left behind including a generator and numerous bottles, cans and other items left around,” says Cst. Justin Walton with Kelowna RCMP.
All of that is believed to have been left behind from a bush party. While it’s not known who is responsible, one clue may be what’s written on one of the tables found in the area: “grad 2016.”
“If there’s a fire left still smouldering in a wooded area near residential houses, that’s a huge concern for us,” says Walton.
The environmental impact is top of mind and so is the fire hazard.
“The biggest concern for us is no different than Fort McMurray or any of those other areas. Things are going to be tinder dry,” says Lieutenant Peter Stantic with the Kelowna Fire Department.
While there isn’t a campfire ban in effect in the Okanagan yet, there is an open burning prohibition.
That means if your camp fire is larger than half a meter by half a meter, you could face a fine of $1,500 to $100,000, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. It also says if you’re convicted in court of contributing to a wildfire, you can be fined, spend a year in jail, or be responsible for all wildfire suppression costs.
However, in this case, emergency crews got to the scene in time to prevent potential disaster and clean up the mess, with the help of local residents.
In an area that is meant for everyone to enjoy, police and fire crews are reminding the public, if you’re going to party out in the bush, to do it responsibly and don’t leave it to others to clean up the mess.
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