An Alberta man received a hefty fine last Saturday for lighting a campfire on Dilworth Mountain.
On July 22 at 9:37 p.m., the Kelowna RCMP were contacted by the Kelowna Fire Department with a request for assistance as fire crews responded to a report of flames visible in the forested area below homes on Dilworth Mountain.
Emergency fire crews located the source of the complaint, a campfire established at a make-shift overnight camp in the parking lot of the Dilworth soccer park.
The man, later identified by RCMP, attempted to extinguish the blaze himself before he left the scene on foot prior to police arrival, leaving his camping gear and vehicle behind. The man later returned as officers were in the process of preparing to tow his vehicle from the parking lot.
The 20-year-old Alberta man was fined $1,150 under the Wildfire Act.
“This could have been a very dangerous situation and serves as an appropriate reminder, that all campfires are prohibited throughout all Central Okanagan municipalities,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Violators could not only receive fines, however may also be charged the cost of the fire crew’s response to a burning complaint.”
Anyone who observes any camp fires or open burns attended or left unattended are urged to call 911. To report a wildfire immediately call 1-800-663-5555 toll free or *5555 on your cell phone.