There are some steps to take if you plan on spending the Victoria Day long weekend at any of B.C.'s provincial parks or recreation sites.
While most will be open, it is still worth checking the respective websites for BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC for up-to-date information about site conditions, site closures and forest service road closures.
And be warned, province's natural resource officers, conservation officers and park rangers will be conducting extensive patrols over the long weekend.
Given the heavy rainfall and meltwater runoff in some areas of the province over the past few weeks, use caution in areas susceptible to high water flows, flooding and landslides and be prepared in advance to take an alternate route.
Avoid putting yourself in hazardous situations and stay as far away from floodwaters as possible. Just 15 centimetres of moving water can sweep people off their feet and as little as 60 centimetres can carry away most vehicles.
Here are a few more tips for a safe and enjoyable long weekend:
Camping
If you're camping, lock up all food in a vehicle overnight, use the garbage containers provided and maintain a clean campsite to avoid attracting bears and other wildlife.
Gates in provincial parks and some recreation sites close at 11 p.m., unless otherwise stated, and only registered campers can be in those campsites after that time.
Excessive noise is not permitted and liquor consumption is prohibited in parks except within your own campsite.
Designated swimming areas that are marked by buoys are intended to protect swimmers. All watercraft and water-skiers must stay out of these areas.
Fire safety
Campfires must not be larger than a 1/2 metre high and a 1/2 metre wide and with a one-metre break around the perimeter.
Never leave a campfire unattended and never light a one or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly and wind may carry embers to other combustible material.
Have a shovel or at least eight litres of water available to properly extinguish your campfire. Make sure that the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
Anyone who lights a campfire is legally responsible for making sure it doesn't escape. They could be held accountable for damages and fire suppression costs if their negligence results in a wildfire.
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.
All-terrain vehicles or dirt bike should have a spark arrestor installed. Check the condition of the muffler, stay on dirt paths and avoid tall grass and weeds to reduce wildfire risks.
Smokers must dispose of cigarette butts and other smoking material responsibly, making sure that these materials are completely extinguished.
Off-road vehicles
Most provincial parks are closed to off-road vehicle use unless otherwise posted.
When riding off-road vehicles, respect the environment and use trails that are designated for motorized use. Keep vehicles out of sensitive sites that could be easily damaged, such as wetlands, grasslands, alpine areas and subalpine environments.
And all-terrain vehicles must be insured if they will be driven on forest service roads.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
To report suspicious activities, environmental damage or a natural resource violation, call 1 877 952-RAPP (7277) or *7277 on a cellphone.
