B.C. issues nearly $22,000 in fines for illegal campfires

Conservation officers in British Columbia handed out nearly $22,000 in fines over the weekend to people who were found having campfires during active bans. Officials said 19 tickets were issued during patrols across several regions. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service said people cannot use ignorance of the restrictions as an excuse. Campfire bans are currently in place in the Kamloops, Cariboo, southeast, and most of the Coastal fire centres, while Category 2 fires are also prohibited across most of the province. Officials said fire danger remains high or extreme across much of southern B.C. as wildfires continue to burn. As of Tuesday morning, 137 wildfires were active provincewide, including several near Clinton that have led to evacuations and damage to structures.