Members of the Baynes Lake Fire Department were dispatched to a campfire complaint call Thursday night (July 1) and arrived to find a large group of young people on the beach with a large bonfire.

“To have a fire of any size is not only illegal, but reckless and selfish,” said Elk Valley and South Country Fire & Rescue Service Chief Dave Boreen. “What makes this call even more unacceptable is that when they were told that the fire had to be put out, several of them became belligerent and uncooperative.”

Boreen credits those in the group who did step up immediately to do the right thing and took action to put the fire out.

The fire was located along a beach in the Koocanusa area, but inaccessible by the department’s fire trucks. As a result, the firefighters had to access the site on foot.

“Had this bonfire gotten away on that group, it not only put our firefighters at risk, but posed a significant potential threat to the wider area. There is absolutely no excuse to be having a fire of any kind right now,” added Boreen.

The fire department will be working with the RCMP and BC Conservation Officer Service to request the appropriate law enforcement agencies are also dispatched to illegal campfire calls.

“Our role is to ensure these fires don’t threaten our communities. Each of us needs to do our part to ensure we are eliminating the risk of preventable fires. Following the Provincial fire restrictions is critical,” said Boreen.

Currently, all open burning, use of fireworks and campfires are prohibited across the entire Province of B.C. While small, portable propane campfires are allowed at this time, they must be CSA and ULC approved and the flame height cannot exceed 15cm.

To report an illegal fire call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

To learn more about the bans and restrictions, and the current status of wildfires in BC, visit www.bcwildfire.ca.

RDEK

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