Campfire Safety

Campfires are a traditional part of any camping trip; however, without proper supervision, they can easily cause dangerous forest fires. Use fallen wood as fuel instead of live timber. Some campgrounds in BC will also sell cut wood.

During the summer, the embers of a burned down campfire can still reignite. Always make sure that your campfire is fully extinguished, and never leave it unattended. Keep buckets of water nearby, as well as a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire. After putting out a campfire with water, be sure to stir the remains to see if there are still any hot embers - add more water and dirt if necessary.

Campfire bans in British Columbia are regional, and are imposed by the Ministry of Forests. During a regional campfire ban, campfires in the corresponding provincial park areas are also banned, with some exceptions. For certain provincial park campgrounds, campfires may still be allowed as long as they are kept in fire rings, the campground is kept under constant supervision by park staff or contractors, and the area is car accessible.

Provincial Park Closures and Campfire Bans:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/campfire_bans.html

Bear Safety

Bears are common in many of British Columbia's provincial parks. Under the Wildlife Act, it is illegal to feed bears, cougars, coyotes, or wolves. As the old saying goes, "a fed bear is a dead bear." Do not leave food out at night - seal and lock it inside of your vehicle.

When walking in the woods, some hikers like to attach tiny bells to their packs to warn bears of their presence. Despite their size, bears are actually quite timid and will avoid humans unless they feel threatened. Using gravel inside of an empty pop can is also effective.

Winter Driving

Be careful when driving your RV in the winter. Here are a few tips:

• Heat can get out easily through your windows and vents. Replace the drapes with thicker layers of insulation to keep yourself warm.
• If your drains and pipes have frozen, try using a hair dryer to heat them.
• Many of the park roads in BC can be difficult to traverse when covered in snow. Make sure you have appropriate tires.