“We need to be as cautious now as we are in August”: BC Wildfire Service, KFR warn residents of dry fire potential

In a video posted by Kamloops Fire Rescue, BCWS Information Officer Kyla Fraser says the service has already seen several suspected human caused fires this season — which are entirely preventable.

“Conditions are still hot, so we need to be as cautious now as we are in August.”

With unseasonably warm and dry weather conditions for April, Fraser says grasses and other fuels are extremely dry and susceptible to sparks.

Kamloops Fire Rescue Captain Steve Robinson echoed the sentiment, noting that their crews have already responded to multiple fires this year within city limits.

“We’ve had many unattended campfires out in the Cooney Bay area that have sparked fires, and that draws significant resources away from the City of Kamloops for us to combat those fires,” he explains. “It costs the City money in our response and delays our response to more critical, life-saving emergencies.”

Unattended campfire fines can reach up to $500 and Robinson adds that if the fire spreads enough to require significant resources, the fine would be thousands of dollars.

“In particular out in that area, it’s very well signed that campfires are not allowed, and again as a City of Kamloops bylaw, campfires are not allowed so significant fines could result.”

Residents are reminded to be extra careful with any fire use this spring, and to report wildfires to 1 (800) 663-5555 or *5555 from a cell phone.

by Dylana Kneeshaw

“We need to be as cautious now as we are in August”: BC Wildfire Service, KFR warn residents of dry fire potential

Our Community