Natural resource officers from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations conducted patrols of recreation sites in the Kootenays last weekend to ensure that residents and visitors enjoyed a safe Labour Day holiday.

The officers conducted vehicle and foot patrols of over 70 recreations sites, campsites, provincial parks, recreation areas and recreation trails. They covered 2,000 kilometres, patrolling near the communities of Nakusp, Revelstoke and Golden.

The officers spoke with approximately 300 people over the course of the weekend. The majority of them were co-operative and complying with campfire, safety and environmental protection legislation.

However, the officers found several campfires that were left unattended or had been abandoned before they were properly extinguished. They also observed violations of the Land Act (unauthorized occupation of Crown land) and issued trespass notices in response.

In addition, the officers discovered unauthorized harvesting of Crown timber at a campsite, a theft of Crown timber and recreational users discharging waste into a lake.

Several violation tickets were handed out and more tickets may be issued pending further investigation.

Ignoring B.C.'s campfire regulations, disregarding environmental regulations, using or occupying Crown land without authority, or harvesting Crown timber illegally can result in fines or administrative sanctions. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness can be fined up to $1 million and/or spend up to three years in prison.

Learn More:

• For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website: www.bcwildfire.ca
• To report a wildfire, dial *5555 on your cellphone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.

Media Contacts:

Gerald Hills
Resource Compliance Supervisor
Columbia Field Unit
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 837-7622 (Revelstoke)

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261 (Victoria)