Province seeks hefty fines for anyone who violates B.C. Wildfire Act
VICTORIA — British Columbia’s forest firefighters face enough difficulties controlling raging walls of flames that threaten homes, properties and lives without having to worry about drones and pleasure boats getting in the way of their efforts, Forests Minister Steve Thomson said Thursday.
Last summer, when an out-of-control blaze threatened the south Okanagan community of Oliver, firefighters had to ground helicopters and water bombers after a drone was spotted in the fire zone and recreational boaters blocked aircraft from filling their tanks on Okanagan Lake, he said.
Thomson introduced amendments to the Wildlife Act that would increase penalties and fines for failing to comply with fire restrictions and interfering with the actions of firefighters.
Amendments to the act would set a $1,150 fine for failing to comply with a fire restriction, more than three times greater than the current $345 fine. Interference with the actions of firefighters could result in a fine of up to $100,000 and a one-year jail term.