With sunny and warm conditions expected to continue throughout most of the province, Wildfire Management Branch officials are encouraging the public to be vigilant with their campfire use.

Remember that campfires cannot be larger than a half-metre wide by a half-metre tall. You must also create a one-metre, debris-free ring around the fire and have a shovel or at least eight litres of water available nearby to extinguish it properly.

Never leave a campfire unattended. Always ensure that the campfire is completely out and the ashes are cool to the touch before leaving the area.

Person-caused fires continue to make up a significant percentage of the most costly fires in B.C. This year alone, 32 campfires have escaped and become wildfires.

Compliance and enforcement officers will be on patrol this weekend to ensure that people are following campfire safety regulations.

Even though it has been a relatively quiet forest fire season so far, people should not become complacent about campfire use.

Report smoke or flames by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. Anyone caught contravening a fire prohibition can be fined up to $345 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail.

Since April 1, fire crews have responded to 670 fires throughout the province, 324 of which were caused by people.

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions in B.C., visit the Wildfire Management Branch website: www.bcwildfire.ca.

— Submitted