Dog rescued from ice fishing hole

photo by Chad Cooper

UPDATE: The dog was Pepper Wynne and is safe and sound! She found her people on the ski trail and was taken home right away to warm up by the fireplace.

A dog fell through a hole in the ice left by fishers today. Fortunately, Kelly Krawchuck spotted the big black lab in distress while cross-country skiing on the lake, and was able to lie down on the ice and pull him out by the collar. Kelly then attempted to warm the dog up the best she could.

It is assumed that the dog's owners were on the other side of the lake because the dog ran off in their direction. Hopefully they noticed that he was wet and cold, and checked for signs of hypothermia. Frostbite may show up on extremities as well (ears and pads especially). If you know of LLJ residents or visitors who have a black lab, please contact them to see if this was their dog.

The hole in the ice was in a terrible location -- close to shore and right beside frequently used ski tracks. It was also very large, and will likely take 2 days or more to freeze over.

So this is a reminder to all ice fishers, you should never leave a large hole unmarked. From what I understand, it is common practice to mark holes with branches. Also, it probably goes without saying, but you should never fill the hole with snow. 

From the Criminal Code of Canada 263:

Duty to safeguard opening in ice263. (1) Every one who makes or causes to be made an opening in ice that is open to or frequented by the public is under a legal duty to guard it in a manner that is adequate to prevent persons from falling in by accident and is adequate to warn them that the opening exists.

Thanks so much to Kelly Krawchuck for saving that dog's life!

Motorized vehicles on Stake Lake trails

Reminder to those who use the trails around here:

Today I stopped a hunter on an ATV….on the Stake Lake trails. He lives in LLJ and did not know the trails are closed to motorized vehicles. He had just passed the stop sign and notice about vehicle closures in the Stake Lake Trail system but did not think they applied to him at this time of year. Those rules apply to all of us throughout the year, not just in ski season. There are plenty of trails and old roads that can be used legally by the motorized crowd.

From a local hiker

Suspicious Truck on the Gus

Occasionally motorized vehicles appear on the Gus Johnson trail. On Saturday a pick-up truck appeared at the top of the Gus close to Lookout Road. The driver, a young male, claimed that he hadn't seen any signs along the way about motorized vehicles being prohibited. He was accompanied by a young female and they had driven in from Rossmore Lake. 

They may have been lost, but what was suspicious was that the truck had no license plates. 

Any other reports about this vehicle?

Fire Prohibitions Start 15 May

Effective at 12 noon on Tuesday, May 15, the size of open fires will be restricted in most of the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public. Read more at the BC Wildfire Management website.

Also of note, since April 1, Kamloops Fire Centre crews have responded to wildfire incidents covering approximately 300 hectares. Many of these wildfires resulted from poorly planned open burning. Everyone conducting open burns are encouraged to read this information bulletin.

Of particular note:

• Do not burn during windy conditions. Weather conditions can change quickly and carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires. 
• Never leave a fire unattended.

New B.C. campfire limits start July 1

photo by wharman

News Release: Ministry of Forests and Range

SMALLER CAMPFIRES COME INTO EFFECT CANADA DAY

New regulations that shrink the size of legal campfires will come into effect July 1 to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

“As we head into peak camping season, I want to remind people that more than 850 fires resulted from careless human behaviour in 2009. That number must come down,” said Bell. “We want people to enjoy the great outdoors, but not at the cost of public safety.”

Under the new regulations, campfires cannot be larger than 0.5 metres in height and 0.5 metres in diameter, or approximately a foot-and-a-half by a foot-and-a-half. Previously, campfires were permitted to a maximum size of one-metre by one-metre.

The new rules also require campers to build a fireguard around their fires by scraping down to the dirt and clearing away potentially flammable debris, such as twigs, leaves and needles. A shovel or at least eight litres of water must be stored nearby to extinguish the fire.

Provincial staff will begin educating campers about the new regulations during the Canada Day long weekend, giving people an opportunity to learn about the changes. As summer progresses, failure to comply with the new rules will result in a $345 fine. An additional $345 fine will be levied for campfires lit during a ban.

“Make no mistake. If we catch people being careless and causing wildfires this summer, we will aggressively pursue penalties for those responsible,” said Bell. “The message we want to deliver is that we take wildfires seriously – and so should you.”

An advertising campaign has been launched to reinforce the province’s zero tolerance for people who start wildfires. A new website, www.firesafebc.ca, is also available that encapsulates all provincial information related to wildfire activity, campfire bans, health advisories and evacuation orders.

Facebook and Twitter users can follow the latest wildfire information at BCForestFireInfo (www.facebook.com) and BCGovFireInfo (www.twitter.com).

Since April 1, fire crews have responded to 310 fires across the province, of which 260 were human-caused. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness can be fined up to $1 million or spend three years on prison.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellphone, or toll-free to
1 800 663-5555.