This photo of a fire pit left abandoned at a recreational campsite site near Falkland was taken on May 20, 2024.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Hubert Bromley
May 25, 2024 - 6:00 AM
An outdoor enthusiast, and former wildfire fighter, who spotted an abandoned campfire burning on a remote recreation site in the Falkland area is reminding campers to put their fires out.
Vernon resident Hubert Bromley said the people camping next to him at a recreational campsite near Falkland left without extinguishing their campfire in a heavily forested area on Victoria Day, May 20.
“I looked over and could clearly see flames in the fire pit from 30 metres away, so I immediately checked it out to make sure it was not an imminent danger,” Bromley said. “The fire was actually bigger than the fire I’d had in my camp the previous night.”
Bromley let the remaining pieces of wood burn down while he packed up his site, then he and his friends doused the fire with buckets of lake water.
“The fire pit was well constructed but the campsite was surrounded by trees,” he said. “The fire could’ve easily been spread with the gusty winds.”
Bromley camps all year round in various areas of the province and said he doesn’t see this kind of recklessness very often. While he didn’t report the incident, he said the behaviour was “completely unacceptable.”
“I really think the RCMP should be willing and able to heavily fine anyone who is that reckless,” he said. “We’re all at risk from forest fires and everyone should be aware and responsible for their actions.”
Bromley regularly checks the pits at empty campsites when he is out camping and hiking in the backcountry, and when he douses a fire he ensures there isn’t heat left in the coals so there isn’t a potential for the fire to restart.
“If the forests burn the cost is too great to those who are directly affected and those of us who love to explore the backcountry,” he said.
READ MORE: Firebug arrested again for arsons in Kamloops
Every year nearly half of all wildfires are caused by humans and some are the result of unattended or irresponsible campfires, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
Campfires, also called Category 1 Open Fires, should be made in a proper fire pit or ring of rocks at least three metres from trees and structures. There should be eight litres of water or a hand tool readily available when the fire is lit, the campfire is not to be left unattended and it must be fully extinguished after use, according to the provincial government.
READ MORE: Vernon hiker picking up one piece of litter a day; challenges others to do the same
You can be fined up to $1,150 for leaving a campfire unattended. If it starts a wildfire, the fine can go as high as $1 million along with three years in jail.
During warm, dry conditions, the wildfire service prohibits campfires based on several risk factors including weather conditions and existing wildfire activity, and anyone found lighting fires during the prohibition face similar hefty fines.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open fire violation call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.
News from © iNFOnews, 2024