By 1075 Beach Radio Vernon/Pete McIntyre

Tougher rules for off-road vehicles

Mar 22, 2018 | 10:42 AM

VERNON — The BC government is imposing stricter rules and higher fines on off-road vehicle users, as a way to prevent wildfires.

Forests Minister Doug Donaldson says effective immediately, some wildfire-related penalties have been increased up to $100,000.

He says that would be the maximum fine for violations related to utility transmission operations, such as if a fire is started by a downed power line.

“These changes reflect the tougher stand that our government is taking to eliminate unnecessary wildfire risks, encourage compliance, protect communities from harm and help keep British Columbians safe,” said Donaldson.

Spark arrestors — devices that can be installed in an exhaust system to stop sparks from exiting a tailpipe — will also be required on all off-road vehicles.

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“Many new models of ORVs already have a spark arrestor. Owners of older models that do not have spark arrestors will need to get them installed if they wish to operate the ORV on Crown land,” says a ministry news release.

Violators could be fined $460 or an administrative monetary penalty of up to $10,000 if an ORV without a spark arrestor is operating at a time or place where there is a risk of a wildfire starting.

If a wildfire starts, the operator could receive a violation ticket fine of $575, an administrative monetary penalty of up to $10,000, or a court fine up to $1,000,000 and/or up to three years in jail. The person responsible could also be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Increased or additional fines for wildfire-related infractions:

The Wildfire Regulation has been amended to add a new administrative monetary penalty up to $100,000 for violations related to utility transmission operations. Examples would be when a wildfire is started by a downed power line, or when vegetation near a utility line has not been adequately maintained and a tree falls on an energized line, starting a fire. Similar provisions are in place for other industrial activities, so this amendment makes the Wildfire Regulation consistent across the sector.

The Wildfire Regulation has been amended to add a new administrative monetary penalty up to $10,000 for not complying with a stop-work order. This change will give the Province additional compliance and enforcement options to deal with people who continue to engage in a high-risk activity after a stop-work order has been issued.

The Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation has been amended to increase three fines for contraventions of the Wildfire Act. The cost of a contravention will increase from $767 to $1,150 for:
– failing to comply with restricted area requirements;

– failing to comply with an order restricting an activity or use; and

– failing to comply with an order to leave a specified area.