By Tom Mark

Wildfire Service Reminder – Stay Away

Jul 13, 2017 | 6:55 AM

The BC Wildfire Service is urging the public to stay away friom active wildfires wherever they may be in the province.

It says firefighting crews on the ground and in the air need plenty of space to do their work and unauthorized people in fire zones represents a significant safety threat for evefrone.

The public is reminded that they are not permitted to enter areas where an area restriction order is in place.

Other concerns include the use of drones and watercraft near wildfires.

Transport Canada and the BC Wildfire Service explicitly prohibit the use of drones of any size near a wildfire.

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All wildfires are automatically considered to be “flight restricted”, according to Canadian Aviation Regulations.

The restricted area is within a radius of five nautical miles around the fire and to an altitude of about 3,000 feet above ground level.

Anyone caught operating a drone within an active wild site could be fined $25,000 or jailed for up to 18 months.

When it comes to water craft, recreational boaters are reminded that firefighting aircraft picking up water from lakes need plenty of room to do their job safely.

In the interest of air crew and public safety, people are urged to use common sense and keep their boats well away from areas where air tankers or helicopters are operating.

by Tom Mark