Camping & RVing in B.C.
by Camping and RV BC Coalition
As campers gear up for the upcoming Labour Day long weekend, the Camping and RVing BC Coalition (CRVBCC) is reminding everyone that more people in the outdoors puts our forests at greater risk for human caused wildfires. The CRVBCC is urging everyone to be fire smart.
According to the Wildfire Management Branch there are currently over 162 wildfires raging throughout British Columbia. However, the good news is that the number of wildfires caused by people is on the decline! In 2011, 69% of wildfires were caused by humans, 43% in 2012, and 30% in 2013, but, this is still a high number!
The provincial crew of over 2,500 fire personnel are fatigued and are in need of a break. As the wildfires continue to burn, the province has provided an additional 90 out-of-province firefighters to assist our fire responders. Fire safety is always important, but is vital when conditions are hot and dry. Human-caused wildfires are often the result of thoughtlessness, neglect or people being unaware of basic fire safety when in the outdoors. We recommend everyone become aware of the following tips.
Friendly Fire Smart Tips:
Check your campground region for fire bans by visiting http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp.
Never leave any campfire unattended.
Extinguish your campfire by allowing the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible. Pour lots of water on the fire, drowning ALL embers, not just the red ones but until the hissing stops. Then stir the campfire ashes and embers using something that's not flammable like an axe or shovel. If there are any sticks or logs left, scrape them to remove any embers. Make sure everything is wet and they are cold to the touch. Use dirt if there is no water. Mix enough dirt or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool. Remember: do NOT bury the fire as the fire will continue to smoulder and roots under the ground surface can ignite and start a wildfire.
Do not have a campfire if it is windy as the sparks could ignite a fire.
Fires should be built away from flammable items, such as tents, overhanging trees, camp chairs and awnings etc...
The use of flammable fluids to start a fire is prohibited.
Keep the fire small and controlled. Larger fires can grow out of control quickly and are harder to extinguish.
Limit burning hours. This helps to conserve firewood, improve air quality and reduce risk of forest fires.
Please use common sense and do not discard smoking materials from vehicles, use interior ashtrays.
Avoid any action that will cause a spark, such as metal scraping on metal, or on a rock.
All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) produce a massive amount of heat and can ignite fires in the brush with their exhaust systems; use these with extreme caution.
To report a forest or unattended fire in British Columbia call *5555 on your mobile phone or toll free 1-800-663-5555. This is a free province-wide emergency number.
For more information visit http://www.campingrvbc.com/camping-tips/campfires/.
As well as keeping our forests safe this Labour Day Weekend campers may like to pack along a pen, paper and camera as the "It's My BC Camping Story Contest" is accepting entries for another 2 months! The grand prize is a 5 day RV rental with campgrounds, as well as many other consolation prizes! For contest details visit http://www.campingrvbc.com/contest/.
About the Camping and RVing British Columbia Coalition
The Camping and RVing British Columbia Coalition was formed with the support of Destination British Columbia to better position the provincial camping and RVing experience and to capitalize on the growth of nature-based tourism. Coalition members currently include BC Parks, BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association, Recreation Sites and Trails BC, RV Rental Association of Canada, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Northern BC Tourism Association, the BC Society of Parks Facility Operators, Parks Canada, Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of British Columbia and the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC.