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Posted: September 22, 2011

Province urging continued vigilance

Continued hot temperatures and the disturbing trend of abandoned campfires is keeping Southeast Fire Centre officials on tenterhooks.

As a result, fire officials are asking hunters and recreationalists to be careful with campfires in the backcountry. Fire wardens discovered 98 abandoned campfires during the previous week. It has been determined that thus far nine campfires have escaped and caused wildfires in the region alone this year, even though it has been a down year for the numbers and scale of fires.

A Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Southeast Fire Centre press release noted, “A rare weather occurrence in the southeast has many areas in higher elevations experiencing similar or, in some cases, even hotter and drier conditions to those in valley bottoms. With lightning and hot, dry conditions anticipated, it is critical that the public remains vigilant.”

The fire danger rating is currently high with pockets of extreme in the Boundary Fire Zone, low to moderate in the Columbia Fire Zone and high throughout all other zones.

“Although the fire season in the southeast to this point has been slow, burning conditions are ramping up and the fire season is definitely not over. I’m urging hunters and recreationalists to be vigilant while in the backcountry,” stated Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson.

Since April 1, the Southeast Fire Centre has responded to 108 wildfires. Forty-nine of those fires were person-caused.

Leaving a campfire unattended can result in a $345 fine. If your campfire causes a wildfire, you may also be held liable for suppression costs and damages.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cell phone or toll-free to 1-800-663-5555.

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