And so it begins... Penticton

[Drip_Torch]

Westbench smoking up pretty good in some strong winds.

PFD working.

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton ... -grassfire

[JagXKR]

Smoke is almost all gone. Looks like they got it under control now.
How long before the next "got away from them" event takes place?
BTW the wind was forecast to increase today so no excuse.

[Drip_Torch]

Less than 4 ha. Not a lot of guts, but a few feathers. Contained and being mopped up.

Three days ago, couldn't get a fire started for a photo op. Today with a little wind, a quick drop in humidity and away she goes.

[Drip_Torch]

I’m somewhat disappointed.

I was hoping this thread would spin into a lively and spirited discussion about firebans, campers, backcounty bans, utv’s, and smoker’s. If we had airtanker’s, different airtankers, or perhaps even the MARS, this fire could have been contained quicker.

Hmm, too soon, I guess…

[electricguy]

I hope to see less blaming of smokers
The Monte Lake wildfire last year wasn’t caused by a cigarette butt
https://*bleep*.ca//newsitem/the-monte- ... tt/it51618

[youjustcomplain]

I hope to see less blaming of smokers
The Monte Lake wildfire last year wasn’t caused by a cigarette butt
https://*bleep*.ca//newsitem/the-monte- ... tt/it51618

Ahh, so cigarette butts were found on the ground near the spot where the fire was suspected to have originated. But were not the cause. Fine. The problem though is that cigarette butts were found. They may not have started this fire, but you can be sure they were tossed from a vehicle, and more than likely were burning at the time. So, is it a fire risk that smokers continue to toss cigarette butts from their windows? you bet it is.

Last summer, during one of our Okanagan fires, I was driving into Kelowna and just south of the airport, I watch the car infront of me toss a cigarette butt. I knew it was coming, the driver had the window cracked and kept flicking the ash out as he smoked. Just to paint the picture though... The air was already thick with smoke and houses had been lost, in Lake Country, the day before...

I will continue to be suspicious of causes of wildfires as long as smokers continue to throw burning materials from the cars.

[Fancy]

Ahh, so cigarette butts were found on the ground near the spot where the fire was suspected to have originated. But were not the cause. Fine. The problem though is that cigarette butts were found. They may not have started this fire, but you can be sure they were tossed from a vehicle, and more than likely were burning at the time.

There were no smoking materials at the ignition site.

[tsayta]

twas Notley

[Catsumi]

I hope to see less blaming of smokers
The Monte Lake wildfire last year wasn’t caused by a cigarette butt
https://*bleep*.ca//newsitem/the-monte- ... tt/it51618

Ahh, so cigarette butts were found on the ground near the spot where the fire was suspected to have originated. But were not the cause. Fine. The problem though is that cigarette butts were found. They may not have started this fire, but you can be sure they were tossed from a vehicle, and more than likely were burning at the time. So, is it a fire risk that smokers continue to toss cigarette butts from their windows? you bet it is.

Last summer, during one of our Okanagan fires, I was driving into Kelowna and just south of the airport, I watch the car infront of me toss a cigarette butt. I knew it was coming, the driver had the window cracked and kept flicking the ash out as he smoked. Just to paint the picture though... The air was already thick with smoke and houses had been lost, in Lake Country, the day before...

I will continue to be suspicious of causes of wildfires as long as smokers continue to throw burning materials from the cars.

Possibly the idiots are still in hibernation and haven't hit the highways in full force just yet.

Just wait, it's coming again.

[Treblehook]

What do you call someone who intentionally or through carelessness, starts a wildfire? I know the answer...... The problem we have in BC is that nobody ever seems to be held accountable for their actions.... seems it is very difficult to obtain the necessary evidence to successfully prosecute these people. I for one, think that there is a demonstrated need to significantly increase the fines for leaving campfires unattended and for violations of the fire bans. We simply cannot afford these "human caused" fires, either from a lost timber resources perspective or the cost of fighting them.