Banned campfires lead to tickets, warnings

The B.C. Conservation Service says some people just aren't getting the message about illegal campfires.

Despite an open fire ban in much of the southern Interior since the beginning of July, some B.C. residents are still lighting fires outside.

• Province-wide fire ban issued due to tinder dry conditions

Penticton-based conservation officer, Sgt. Jim Beck says his officers have handed out 16 tickets and 14 warnings in the Okanagan for illegal fires. Province-wide there have been 217 offences.

Open fire against the law

Some were for campfires. Others were for burning waste. Regardless, the open fires are against the law.

"We've had people on private property actually choosing to burn waste wood and materials," Beck said. "We've had people on private property deciding to light their own campfires. But largely, the vast majority are in recreation sites, campgrounds."

The campfire ban came after weeks of dry, drought conditions across southern B.C. sparked a slew of wildfires. Fire officials warned that wildfires could easily ignite and spread.