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Higher fire-related fines

Increased fines for a variety of wildfire-related violation tickets came into force on Friday, April 1.

By Kamloops This Week

Increased fines for a variety of wildfire-related violation tickets came into force on Friday, April 1.

Anyone caught contravening specified open-burning and campfire regulations can now face fines more than three times higher than last year’s penalties.

The regulatory changes, announced on March 10, significantly increase ticket fines for 19 violations under the Wildfire Act and another seven violations under the Wildfire Regulation Act.

These changes mean British Columbia now has some of the highest wildfire-related fines in Canada. For example, the fine for not complying with a fire restriction under the Wildfire Act has tripled from $345 to $1,150.

Failing to properly extinguish a burning substance, such as a cigarette, will now cost an offender $575.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

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