Increased fines for a variety of wildfire-related violation tickets are now in effect.
Anyone caught contravening specified open burning and campfire regulations could now face fines more than three times higher than last year's penalties, the provincial government said.
For example, the fine for not complying with a fire restriction under the Wildfire Act has tripled from $345 to $1,150. Failing to properly extinguish a burning substance, such as a cigarette, will now cost an offender $575.
In all, the regulatory changes announced March 10, significantly increase ticket fines for 19 different violations under the Wildfire Act and another seven violations under the Wildfire Regulation.
"This government has acted on behalf of all British Columbians to crack down on reckless behaviour that could put lives, communities and resources at risk," Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson said in a press release.
"We encourage everyone to do the right thing this fire season by learning more about responsible fire use and making sure they follow the rules."
On average, 30 to 40% of wildfires in British Columbia each year are caused by people and last year's 2015 fire season was one of the busiest and most expensive in recent years, with over 283,400 hectares burned and over $278 million spent on wildfire management.
