A 20-hectare wildfire near Kamloops was visible throughout the city earlier this week, but boaters had an even better view of the action from the river.

BC Wildfire Service is warning the public after a photo circulating online showed a pontoon boat on the South Thompson River while a helicopter collected water.

A BC Wildfire spokesperson couldn’t say whether it was reported to wildfire crews or whether it was being investigated, but he did reiterate why boaters should stay clear of the scene.

“Recreational boaters, or people using other watercraft who try to get a close-up look at these aircraft, present a serious safety risk for air crews and anyone else in the area,” fire information officer Alexander Robinson said in an emailed response.

It’s unclear just how close the pontoon boat was to the hovering helicopter, but Robinson said aircraft, like skimmers and helicopters, need “plenty of room to maneuver.” This is especially the case with planes as they descend to pick up water.

Kamloops deputy fire chief Ryan Cail wasn’t aware of any incidents involving boats at the scene of the wildfire and deferred to BC Wildfire Service.

“We don’t want to have anybody out on the water getting in the way of aircraft when they’re out helping us,” he said.

iNFOnews.ca attempted to reach the person who ostensibly captured the photo during the July 6 wildfire, but she did not respond. Commentary attached to the photo claimed there was another boat and a kayaker that also passed by amid the firefighting response.

Boaters reported to be in the way of firefighting aircraft can risk fines of $1,150, but egregious cases could risk further penalties up to $100,000.

Anyone on the water should stay clear of the area and close to shore during a wildfire. Bird dog planes, which often lead airtankers and skimmers, will sound alarms along their route over the water, but locations may change depending on conditions, according to BC Wildfire Service.

The wildfire service has warned the public proactively in the past, like a 2021 wildfire near Vernon when boaters on Kalamalka Lake were getting in the way of airtankers.

Other than boats, drones have also been a risk for wildfire crews in the Vernon case and another in Kelowna, for example. The latter occurred during the 2023 McDougall Creek wildfire and resulted in a $5,000 fine for a local realtor.

The recent Kamloops wildfire was deemed under control on July 7 after growing to 20 hectares with Kamloops Fire Rescue leading the response.