Continued hot, dry weather means campfire prohibitions are in place for many campers this B.C. Day long weekend.

With the fire danger rating increased throughout much of the province, the public is reminded to check local fire prohibitions and remain vigilant in preventing wildfires. 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 enthusiasts should ensure they are using an approved spark arrestor and refrain from parking on grass or at sites where the exhaust system is near combustibles.

If a campfire is permitted in your area, it's important to take the following safety precautions:

• 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.

You may be held accountable for damages and fire suppression costs if your negligence results in a wildfire. To find out if there are fire prohibitions in your region, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at: http://bcwildfire.ca. Local fire department jurisdictions may also have their own prohibition in place.

To report an unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or call *5555 on your cellphone.

Quote:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"While you are out visiting B.C.'s beautiful parks and backcountry, it's vital to follow any fire prohibitions that are in place. Wildfires can start very quickly and can damage not just forested land, but homes and communities. Calling *5555 on your cellphone to report a violation is a big help in preventing wildfires from starting."

Quick Facts:

• Anyone caught breaking a fire ban can be fined $345. If the fire escapes and causes a wildfire, the person may be convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail.

• If person starts a wildfire through negligence or carelessness, they may also be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Learn More:

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo

On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Contact:

Navi Saini
Provincial Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Ministry of Forest, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations
250 312-2063