The BC Conservation Officers Service kept busy over the Canada Day long weekend, joining efforts with the RCMP and the Ministry of Forests enforcement division to stop as much unsafe behaviour as possible between Friday and Monday.
"We contacted about 221 members of the public. We attended 10 forest rec sites, and some were repeat visits, as a result of observations made by our officers or reports to us by the public," said Sgt. Rory Smith. "We provided advice to numerous people in regard to the operation of ATVs, fires, things like that."
There were four official enforcement warnings issued, 11 people were ordered off of recreation property, and 11 tickets issued to people breaking the rules. One, a prohibited driver, was turned over to the RCMP. Also, five ongoing investigations were initiated into deeper allegations.
The behaviour conservation officers took action on included vandalism to recreation site property, disturbing the peace, excessive noise, cutting down Crown trees, fire infractions (too big, unattended, etc.), fishing without a license, driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, liquor infractions (four seizures were made of drugs/alcohol), littering, and failure to wear lifejackets.
"We are really concerned about the lifejacket issue. That's just not acceptable to have no lifejackets readily available on a boat or not be wearing them if you're on a small craft like a jet-ski. There's just no reason for that kind of risk to be taken," said Smith. "I was doing some research today, and it looks like there were eight drownings this past weekend across Canada. We issued five tickets for lifejacket infractions - not bad for foot patrols, eh?"
On the positive side, said Smith, none of the infractions dealt with by officers were for firearms.
"The May long weekend tends to be busier," said Smith. "We didn't have the overall numbers over the Canada Day long weekend, but on the other hand we are putting more focus on the individuals that simply don't want to comply. There are just too many others who are out there to enjoy the outdoors and have a good time for the right reasons. We are there to help those people, and protect the environment."
FIRES ON THE LONG WEEKEND
Storms triggered forest fires in the general region that kept crews from the Wildfire Management Branch busy over the Canada Day holiday.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations reported 12 fire starts, centred in the Dome Creek / Driscoll Creek area east of the city, in the vicinity of McBride.
"Lightning moved through the area over the long weekend and these fires are likely the result of 'holdovers' from strikes associated with the weekend system," said local fire information officer Dustin Eno. "Initial attack crews are responding to these fires, all of which are estimated at less than one hectare in size. None of these incidents are threatening any homes or infrastructure."
If you see a wildfire please report it by calling *5555 on most cellular phones or 1-800-663-5555.
