Campfires are banned in the City of Castlegar as of 3 p.m. on July 10.
The move is in conjunction with an announcement by the BC Wildfire Service prohibiting Category 1 campfires throughout the Southeast Fire Centre as well as a ban across the entire province with the exception of Haida Gwaii.
Bans on larger fires have already been in place for several weeks.
The City of Castlegar’s prohibition will remain in effect until the BC Wildfire Service rescinds its order for the Southeast Fire Center.
“With extended high temperatures and dry conditions, we’re asking the community to take this ban very seriously,” says Fire Chief Sam Lattanzio. “We do everything we can to keep our community safe and we’re now asking the community to take all the precautions to prevent fires during these times.”
Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs
To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, call 1-888-3-FOREST or visit: bcwildfire.ca.
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