B.C. fire officials concerned with 'spike' in illegal campfires
Fire officials say they're concerned with a recent surge in illegal campfires along British Columbia's coast, as hundreds of wildfires continue to burn in the province.
The Coastal Fire Centre says it's seeing a "large spike" in illegal campfires in the region, which includes Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast, Haida Gwaii and areas of the Lower Mainland.
"Because we haven't had rain for so long, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service has increased the number of officers that are patrolling for illegal campfires," said Matt Bell with the Coastal Fire Centre on Tuesday.
"When they do find illegal campfires, conservations officers are immediately issuing fines of $1,150," he said.
Bell added that conservation officers are surprised at how many illegal campfires they are finding, particularly because the province is under a state of emergency due to wildfires burning in the Interior, and because a province-wide campfire ban has been in place since June 28.
"We're definitely seeing a large number than should be expected given the amount of drying that has occurred," he said.
Fire officials are stressing the importance of fire safety, especially in the coastal region, which has been relatively unscathed by this year's wildfire season.
Bell says that additional resources can be deployed from the coastal region to active wildfires in the Interior, but not if wildfires start appearing on the coast.
"It's really something we need to nail down and need to make sure everyone's really diligent on as we get into these higher temperatures and even further drier conditions headed to the long weekend," he said.
Environment Canada has posted special weather statements warning of high temperatures on parts of Vancouver Island and for Southern Gulf Islands later this week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.