Fine of $2,300 issued for contravening fire ban

A woman was issued a substantial fine in the Shuswap for not adhering to the fire ban.

Police say on Monday, July 31, RCMP and the Salmon Arm Fire Department received a report from the public that a man and woman were seen walking away from a fire.

The pair was spotted getting into a black car on Tappen Valley Road near the Trans Canada Highway.

Fire crews were able to extinguish the small fire before it spread.

Police located the vehicle involved, and a woman in the car was issued $2,300 in provincial fines for igniting a fire in contravention of the provincial regulations.

“The people in the car reported having no address and evidence of recent drug use was noted by the police investigator,” RCMP Staff Sgt. Scott West said.

West said quick action to put out the fire was a major factor in the the incident not getting out of control in the dry conditions.

“There is a fire ban in effect and given the current conditions, provincial fines and potential criminal charges will be considered in all cases involving burning,” West reminded the public.