Trio having a campfire in North Okanagan ‘didn’t seem to get it or care’

COLDSTREAM – Three men received fines of $1,150 each for lighting a campfire on a North Okanagan trail Thursday night.

Coldstream fire chief Dave Sturgeon says the department was called about 10:30 p.m. for a report of a possible campfire by Kalamalka Lake on the Okanagan Rail Trail. 

Along with RCMP officers, they paid the culprits a visit.

“There were three individuals having a campfire about a kilometre down the trail. They had some alcohol and were just drinking and swimming,” he says. “They weren’t too happy to see us.”

Initially, they were uncooperative, Sturgeon says.

“They didn’t seem overly concerned or remorseful. They figured they weren’t doing anything wrong,” Sturgeon says. “We explained the situation. They just didn’t seem to get it or care.”

The men, who Sturgeon says were in their 20s and from the local area, each received a $1,150 fine.

“They felt it because it was a small campfire it wasn’t a big deal. Obviously with the extreme fire danger rating, it just takes one small ember,” Sturgeon says.

Just last weekend, Kelowna RCMP issued a fine against a 20-year-old Alberta man for lighting a campfire in a parking lot.

Sturgeon urges anyone who sees a possible fire, no matter how small, to call 911 immediately.

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