B.C. officers issue $21,850 in fines for illegal campfires

Conservation officers issued $21,850 in tickets to 19 people caught violating campfire bans in parts of British Columbia over the weekend, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says.

The agency said not knowing about a campfire ban is not an acceptable excuse. Enforcement came as wildfire activity and evacuations increased in some parts of the province, with conditions raising the risk of new fires and rapid growth.

Current bans cover areas served by the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast fire centres, as well as parts of the South Coast. The B.C. Wildfire Service says human-caused fires are preventable and can divert critical resources from lightning-caused wildfires.

A person who violates a campfire ban can face a $1,150 fine and an additional administrative penalty of up to $10,000. Court convictions can bring fines of up to $100,000 and up to a year in jail; anyone whose illegal campfire causes a wildfire may also be liable for firefighting costs.