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Salmon Arm youth throw $1,150 pit party after being fined for bonfire

'One of their friends said it was okay to have a fire'
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The Salmon Arm Fire Department called in the RCMP for assistance in responding to bonfire at a pit party on Aug. 16.

The party was over when the Salmon Arm Fire Department (SAFD) and RCMP doused a blazing get together despite all bans still in effect at that time.

At 10 p.m. on Aug. 16 the SAFD requested police assistance in responding to a report of a fire at a pit party on Shaw Road. Officers attended and found six young adults, all friends, with a large bonfire and more pallets apparently ready to be added to the fire. 

The fire department extinguished the blaze and doused the ground around it as the area was surrounded by brush and tall trees. 

"The youths claimed 'one of their friends said it was okay to have a fire," Const. Andrew Hodges said in a media release. "Police explained there was a province wide fire ban."

Officers also pointed out the risk the youth put the area in by having no means to extinguish the fire if it got out of control.

"One of the young men took responsibility for the fire, and was issued a fine for $1,150 under the B.C. Wildfire Act," Hodges added. "The other five friends agreed they would chip in to pay the fine."

On Aug. 28 the Kamloops Fire Centre lifted the Category 1 campfire ban, but Category 2 and 3 open fires remain prohibited. 

 



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