Submitted by G.D. Simpson
Const. Lockwood and Sgt. Simpson were deployed with the Southeast District Tactical Team to assist with the fire and evacuations in Lytton over the past weekend.
June 30
At 11:46 p.m., a local Birch Island man called the Clearwater RCMP to report a campfire in the 1800 block of Noble Road in Birch Island. Small campfires were allowed as long as the person in charge had a good water source near by, such as a hose.
Const. Klassen was called out to attend. When he arrived, the fire was out and no one was around. He spoke with the man on the phone who advised that shortly after the RCMP was called, the fire was put out and there have not been any flare ups.
From the BC Wildfire Service: A campfire is an open fire that burns piled material no larger than 0.5 metres in height and 0.5 metres in width, and is used by any person for recreational purpose or by a First Nation for a ceremonial purpose. Many British Columbians and visitors to our province enjoy campfires.
To prevent your campfire from turning in to a wildfire be sure to:
* Check current campfire restrictions for the area you are in;
* Select your campsite and campfire location carefully;
* Remove all leaves, twigs and other flammable material from the area around where you plan to light your campfire;
* Never have a campfire when it’s windy;
* Choose a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks at least three metres from trees, shrubs, structures and debris;
* Do not leave a campfire unattended for any amount of time;
* Keep a bucket of at least eight litres of water close by the fire at all time, and/or a hand tool (such as a shovel) to extinguish the fire properly; and
* Completely extinguish your campfire before you go to sleep or leave the area for any period of time.
To extinguish your campfire, pour plenty of water on the fire and surrounding area, dousing the site of the campfire thoroughly. Stir the campfire until there are no embers and the ashes are cold to the touch. Poorly managed and abandoned campfires result in numerous wildfires each year.
There is currently a provincial ban on all open and campfires. To see current restrictions visit BC Wildfire Service.
July 1
Clearwater RCMP received a call at 12:46 p.m. from a 56-year-old Blackpool woman regarding a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 5 and Clearwater Village Road. There were no injuries, but one vehicle was leaking fluids and would need a tow.
Cst. Van Woudenberg attended and confirmed both drivers were okay. The complainant had been driving a 2013 blue Dodge Grand Caravan and the other driver, a 60-year-old man from Malakwa, had been driving a 2007 grey Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The complainant had been crossing Highway 5 heading eastbound and didn’t see the Malakwa man’s vehicle and crossed right in front of him. A tow was called for the Jeep, who attended and towed it to their yard. The minivan was still good to drive, so Cst. Van Woudenberg took pictures, completed his accident report and provided a copy to the complainant prior to her departure in the van. Documentation completed and sent to ICBC.
Clearwater RCMP responded to 68 calls for service this past week.
Sgt. G.D. Simpson is the detachment commander at the Clearwater RCMP Detachment. Anyone with information on a crime is encouraged to call Clearwater RCMP at 250-674-2237 or, to report anonymously, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
newsroom@clearwatertimes.com
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