Wind Warning for Cariboo Fire Centre
Prince George, B.C. – The Cariboo Fire Centre is expecting windy conditions this weekend and urges the public to follow all open burning prohibitions and to use caution when participating in recreational activities.
Despite the green-up of grasses, the forest floor is still dry. The fire danger rating is moderate throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre with some pockets rated high.
Category 2 and Category 3 fires have been prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre since April 4, 2016. Campfires are allowed, but the public is urged to use caution. Before lighting a campfire, you must have a shovel or at least eight litres of water nearby to extinguish the fire. Ensure that your campfire is completely out and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
Anyone riding an all-terrain vehicle or dirt bike should check the condition of the muffler, stay on dirt paths and avoid tall grasses and weeds.
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or dial *5555 on a cellphone.
Comments
As much as I enjoy a campfire, I believe that considering the situation across the western provinces maybe there ought to be a total fire ban put on now. We dont need to see anymore accodental fires. Lightning and other unforseen causes (powerline fires, accidents etc) are going to add enough issues as it is.
The province may want to consider employing mandatory conscription to help out if we get any more fires.
Meanwhile, if you have a campfire please be responsible. Available water at the ready, a shovel or rake should be sitting close by. Put your fires out completely, this includes using that shovel to turn over your ashes and making certain that you leave no hot coals behind. Stay safe!
The BC Wildfire Service web site at bcwildfire.com/FAQ/staff.htm explains why conscription or hiring off the street, as they used to do many decades ago, is no longer employed. Instead, there is a mutual aid agreement in place across the province which can assemble additional trained people as well as equipment when needed.
The current statements about the Fort McMurray fire is that only a change in weather will be able to stop the fire from growing larger by the day.
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Some words from the site for those who do not like to look at linked sites:
“Because fighting forest fires is dangerous and exhausting work, we prefer to use professional fire fighters who are trained, physically fit and properly equipped. The reasons we prefer to use out-of-province fire fighters:
• The safety of fire line employees is of utmost importance. We prefer to use professional fire fighters who are physically fit and trained in fire behaviour and fire safety. Un-trained, un-fit fire fighters can be dangerous to themselves and others.
• In 1991, an un-trained, un-fit fire fighter died while actioning a forest fire. The coroner’s report and Worker??s Compensation Board recommended that only trained, fit fire fighters be used.
• Un-trained fire fighters cost more money than professional fire fighters.
• Un-trained fire fighters require constant monitoring to ensure their safety and constant supervision to ensure they are doing the job properly. They are more likely to be involved in accidents which may increase our WCB costs.
• Professional fire fighters are well trained and physically fit. One professional fire fighter can perform the same amount of work as several “off the street” fire fighters.
• Once a fire bust starts, we do not have the time (minimum 3 days) to train new people to become fire fighters. It is faster and more efficient to borrow professional fire fighters from other agencies.
• B.C. is an active contributor to the MARS agreement. Within the past five years we have sent people and resources to the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Quebec, and the USA.
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