The times they are a changin' - From a CBC internet website: This is something I expect down south in Cali/ C Manson country,
not Canada. More indication of our entitled younger generation. STORY FROM CBC WEB NEWS
Conservation officers are facing confrontation and intimidation from campers in B.C. who are determined to have a campfire despite a ban across much of the province..
Sixteen violation tickets were issued on Sunday night in the Sea to Sky region between Pemberton and Lions Bay alone, B.C. Conservation Officer Tim Schumacher told CBC News Wednesday.
"Officers encountered people who were argumentative and believed they could have a fire safely," Schumacher said.
He said it was an unfortunate attitude as the region is so dry and just one spark from a campfire could be devastating.
While not all confrontations were alcohol-related, he said, concern is mounting over the level of intimidation being used.
Zero tolerance
"A gentlemen [on Sunday] picked up a shotgun from his vehicle and put it on the table beside him," Schumacher said.
The man told the conservation officers that the gun was loaded, but even though that turned out to be false, Schumacher says personal safety is a concern for officers out in the wild where people have knives and guns with them.
"I think that often there is an attempt to intimidate'"
Schumacher said that no camper in the province can claim they are unaware of the ban, as it's been widely reported across the media and local signage is plentiful.
"On site we have zero tolerance," he said, noting that a violation ticket is $345 for each person around the fire, and those found in contravention could be fined a $10,000 administration fee.
If a case goes to court, there's a potential for a $100,000 and a year in jail, and if a camper is found to have caused a wildfire, they can also be liable for all the costs associated with extinguishing it. END OF STORY BY CBC.
The other part of my story here is how Bears are climbing fences to get into campgrounds where the music festival is. Garbage and waste are now a food group for wild animals.
So I think as a group we should change how we use the backcountry.
Of all the people working in the forest I respect the most, it's the BC Conservation Officer. These incidents make me more than
a little upset. Cause I don't want some Law Officer walking into my camp at night, firearms drawn because I've been painted with
the same brush as these morons.
So I too just bought a Reliance Tri-to-Go portable toilet in preparation of my trip to Yukon. I guess one less person making
a mess in the forest. I also now carry a propane grill so I can cook meat, whether I shoot it or hook it; different attitude to
my 'right' to have a fire. Costco also sells this 'Volcano Grill', I haven't seen one yet, but it is kind a sit around the campfire thing
too. Runs on Propane.
What I'm getting at, is an amendment to what we all think is required equipment. So I am starting with the new idea that
these are required now for me, no longer just an option.
Don't get me wrong, if weather permits I'll have the biggest bonfire going, but respectful of what
potential damage is. Anyhow, my .02
not Canada. More indication of our entitled younger generation. STORY FROM CBC WEB NEWS
Conservation officers are facing confrontation and intimidation from campers in B.C. who are determined to have a campfire despite a ban across much of the province..
Sixteen violation tickets were issued on Sunday night in the Sea to Sky region between Pemberton and Lions Bay alone, B.C. Conservation Officer Tim Schumacher told CBC News Wednesday.
"Officers encountered people who were argumentative and believed they could have a fire safely," Schumacher said.
He said it was an unfortunate attitude as the region is so dry and just one spark from a campfire could be devastating.
While not all confrontations were alcohol-related, he said, concern is mounting over the level of intimidation being used.
Zero tolerance
"A gentlemen [on Sunday] picked up a shotgun from his vehicle and put it on the table beside him," Schumacher said.
The man told the conservation officers that the gun was loaded, but even though that turned out to be false, Schumacher says personal safety is a concern for officers out in the wild where people have knives and guns with them.
"I think that often there is an attempt to intimidate'"
Schumacher said that no camper in the province can claim they are unaware of the ban, as it's been widely reported across the media and local signage is plentiful.
"On site we have zero tolerance," he said, noting that a violation ticket is $345 for each person around the fire, and those found in contravention could be fined a $10,000 administration fee.
If a case goes to court, there's a potential for a $100,000 and a year in jail, and if a camper is found to have caused a wildfire, they can also be liable for all the costs associated with extinguishing it. END OF STORY BY CBC.
The other part of my story here is how Bears are climbing fences to get into campgrounds where the music festival is. Garbage and waste are now a food group for wild animals.
So I think as a group we should change how we use the backcountry.
Of all the people working in the forest I respect the most, it's the BC Conservation Officer. These incidents make me more than
a little upset. Cause I don't want some Law Officer walking into my camp at night, firearms drawn because I've been painted with
the same brush as these morons.
So I too just bought a Reliance Tri-to-Go portable toilet in preparation of my trip to Yukon. I guess one less person making
a mess in the forest. I also now carry a propane grill so I can cook meat, whether I shoot it or hook it; different attitude to
my 'right' to have a fire. Costco also sells this 'Volcano Grill', I haven't seen one yet, but it is kind a sit around the campfire thing
too. Runs on Propane.
What I'm getting at, is an amendment to what we all think is required equipment. So I am starting with the new idea that
these are required now for me, no longer just an option.
Don't get me wrong, if weather permits I'll have the biggest bonfire going, but respectful of what
potential damage is. Anyhow, my .02
