Campfire safety top of mind ahead of long weekend festivities

“If they do plan to have a campfire this weekend, to make sure that they have the proper equipment with them, and to make sure it is that half-metre by half-metre in size.”

Thunderstorms are expected in the Kamloops area in the next day or two, but MacDonald says so far the weather forecast isn’t calling for sky high temperatures over the weekend.

“We do evaluate a lot of factors when we look at putting in open burning restrictions such as the level of activity the fire centre is seeing, the amount of resources we have available, as well as the current, and forecasted weather conditions.”

Local area campgrounds have already began to fill up, and given that campfires and spending time outdoors go hand in hand, extra precautions need to be taken.

Ted Harris has been camping at Paul Lake Provincial Campground for more than two decades, and has some tips for those headed outside this weekend.

“Stay within your limitations, the half-metre by half-metre,” Harris stresses. “And have water and a bucket, and a shovel would be good to have too, and just don’t make a roaring big blaze.”

Camp Host Jim Munson says it’s not hard to make sure everyone can enjoy their time at any campground.

“We’ve always strived to do our best,” he says. “We do it right, and you think well why can’t everybody else?”

Munson says after back-to-back record wildfire seasons in B.C, even if a ban is brought into effect, many campers won’t be too inconvenienced.

“Well with the new propane fire pit systems, a lot of people have adapted to that because we have this fire situation pretty much every year.”

The hope is with stable weather conditions and responsible actions, campfires can be enjoyed throughout the long weekend.

by Dylana Milobar

Campfire safety top of mind ahead of long weekend festivities

Our Community