Use of ATV in Okanagan Backcountry Reignites Concerns over Encampments Amid Fire Risk
The Okanagan Forest Task Force says the ATV was seen near a nearby encampment, and police issued a report as wildfire concerns grew.
- On Sunday, Aug. 11, an Okanagan Forest Task Force trail camera captured an ATV travelling down Postill Lake Road; Kelowna RCMP officers later located the vehicle at a nearby encampment and spoke with its occupants.
- The Ministry has prohibited off-road vehicles on Crown Land until Oct. 9 due to wildfire risks; under the Wildfire Act, operators in prohibited areas face fines of up to $1,150.
- OFTF president Kane Blake cited wildfire risks, noting a past incident on Bartley Road where an encampment occupant started a fire while cooking, and warned, "The back country is so dry right now."
- The OFTF sent an open letter to the Premier, the NDP, and the Conservative opposition, demanding "preemptive enforcement" to curb backcountry encampments and illegal off-road vehicle use.
- Local Residents are demanding relocation of encampments on Crown Land to governed locations, stating they are "fed up with living under a shadow of perpetual fear" due to public safety risks.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Use of ATV in Okanagan backcountry reignites concerns over encampments amid fire risk - The Interior News - Smithers BC
An instance of someone driving an ATV on back country roads in the Okanagan has sparked fear of wildfires setting the backcountry ablaze. On Sunday night, Aug. 11, a trail camera set up by the Okanagan Forest Task Force (OFTF) captured an ATV travelling down Postill Lake Road around three to four kilometres from the road’s start. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, but the B.C. government has prohibited the use of off-road vehicles on Crown la…
Penticton Western News
Use of ATV in Okanagan backcountry reignites concerns over encampments amid fire risk
An instance of someone driving an ATV on back country roads in the Okanagan has sparked fear of wildfires setting the backcountry ablaze. On Sunday night, Aug. 11, a trail camera set up by the Okanagan Forest Task Force (OFTF) captured an ATV travelling down Postill Lake Road around three to four kilometres from the road’s start. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, but the B.C. government has prohibited the use of off-road vehicles on Crown la…
Malibu Declares Emergency To Clear Fire-Risk Homeless Encampments
MALIBU—The Malibu City Council unanimously approved a local emergency declaration on August 10 that allows the city to clear homeless encampments in areas with very high fire hazards. California state law requires a longer notification period before the city can clear encampments. The declaration lets the city of Malibu clear them within a single day of notice. City Council approved the declaration on Monday, and the city publicly announced it T…
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