'Is your campfire worth risking somebody's life?' Firefighters urge people to stop breaking fire ban

Firefighters are urging people to stop lighting outdoor fires, as wildfires rage across Newfoundland and Labrador and the province remains under a fire ban.

"I was surprised at how many people still decided to light a fire," said Duane Antle, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services. 

Outdoor fires have been banned since July 11. But departments are still getting multiple calls about backyard fires and other risky actions, Antle said — like flicking cigarette butts out car windows, or driving an ATV through tall grass. With everything so dry, he said, those behaviours can pose a real risk.

On Monday, the City of St. John's said its fire department responded to 14 brush fires since Friday, six of which were backyard fires or campfires.

"This is unacceptable and deeply concerning," said a city statement.

With people losing their homes and evacuating, "I can't understand why someone would even take it in their head that [lighting a fire] would be OK to do," Antle said.

People might think they're far away from the forest, he said, but sparks and debris can travel "a long ways and re-ignite another fire."

St John's Morning Show7:24Fire departments are still getting calls about illegal fires, despite the ban

There have been several reports of illegal fires and other risky behaviour during the fire ban. Duane Antle, President of the NL Association of Fire Services, is urging people to use common sense.

Even on a rocky beach, there's always the danger of sparks travelling, he said. Plus, people are watching and might start thinking, "why can't I have a fire?"

"That's when people start to maybe make unreasonable decisions."

Fines of $1,000

If you're caught breaking the fire ban, you could be fined at least $1,000.

Enforcement officers are doing regular patrols and are always available to respond to complaints, says the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. 

The fire ban applies to anywhere within 300 metres — or five hockey rinks — of land with trees of any size. That's not just forests, says the department, but also things like yards, parks, and paths.

In his 30-year career, Antle says he's never seen anything like this wildfire season. Evacuations used to be so rare, he said, but this year it's "every couple of weeks."

"It's scary," he said.

For firefighters on the ground, it's a dangerous environment.

"Ask yourself: Is your campfire worth risking somebody's life?" 

Antle notes the fire ban does seem to be "sinking in" for people, and he's urging residents to report any illegal fires to local fire departments or police. The Forestry Department says people can report by calling 1-877-820-0999 or visiting www.stoppoaching.ca. 

"Ask yourself," Antle said, "'what can I do to make sure I'm not part of the problem?'"

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