Campfires prohibited

This news release was just posted on the Wildfire Management Branch - Ministry of Forests and Range - Website:

KAMLOOPS - Effective at noon July 29, 2010, all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, will be prohibited across the Kamloops Fire Centre's jurisdiction to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

The fire danger rating is currently high to extreme across the Kamloops Fire Centre making the risk of a campfire sparking a wildfire a concern to forest officials. Resources from the Kamloops Fire Centre have responded to 55 campfire related incidents so far this season. This takes away valuable resources that are needed to respond to naturally occurring wildfires.

This ban applies to open fires of any size, including campfires, fires with a burn registration number and industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches and burning barrels.

The ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating using briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the flame is kept under 15 centimetres in length.

The ban covers all of the Kamloops Fire Centre's jurisdiction. Within this area, the ban covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with civic authorities for any restrictions before lighting a fire.

Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban, including campfires, may be issued a ticket for $345. Should a wildfire occur as a result of recklessness, a person can be fined up to $1 million or spend three years in prison and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

The ban will be in place until September 30, 2010, or until the public is otherwise notified.

The Kamloops Fire Centre covers an area from the northern border of Wells Gray Park, north of Blue River to the US border in the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Goldbridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire please call *5555 on your cell or toll-free 1 800 663-5555.

New Transfer Station Hours

The TNRD has issued new transfer station hours which will begin on Wednesday July 28th. They are following the results of our survey.  

The new hours will be: 

Wednesdays from 8:00 am - 12 noon and on Sundays from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. 
The hours will remain the same throughout the year.

Raw Food Class

Julie Bayman, a recognized Alissa Cohen Raw Food Chef and Instructor from Pure Cuisine, is coming to Lac Le Jeune to offer a Smoothies and Deserts raw food class.

When: August 22, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Where: Lucy Lindros' house

We'll be making chocolate cherry bomb smoothies, banana ice cream, coconut cream pie, and MORE. As part of the day we are also planning a bike ride around the lake in the morning 9:00 - 11:00am to work up an appetite. Optional of course!

If you are interested in taking this class contact Lucy Lindros: lindy17@telus.net

LLJCA Annual General Meeting

Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association 

Annual General Meeting

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Lac Le Jeune Resort

(downstairs - use outside entrance)

10:00am - 12:00pm

A barbecue will follow the meeting

AGENDA

Annual outdoor music concert

All residents of Lac Le Jeune were invited to attend the private music festival tonight. Following the original notice about the concert there was a brief flurry of email from residents. Some individuals were opposed to the idea, citing possible violation of criminal code. Others stepped forward to add their vote of approval, emphasizing that live music in our community is not an everyday event and, furthermore, we were given plenty of notice. 

As of 9am today, the results of the public poll show support for the outdoor music concert, with 76% in favour or indifferent, and 22% opposed:

How do you feel about an annual, evening, outdoor music concert hosted at a LLJ residence?

• I like it 38 (57%)
• I don't like it 15 (22%)
• Doesn't matter to me 13 (19%)

Votes so far: 66

Unfortunately, it's impossible for everyone to be happy with the outcome. Nevertheless, it has been useful to openly discuss issues that are important to us in our community.

Late afternoon concert

If you happen to be out on the lake or wandering down Water Street Thursday, July 8 at 4:30pm, stop to listen to Patchestra, an eight-piece string quartet that will be playing on Hugh and Pat Burton's deck for a private party. What a relaxing way to spend the afternoon!

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day from Skippy and his friends

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.

Young fly fishers of Lac Le Jeune

We have some young and very skilled fly fishers in our community! These trout were caught in May and June.

Jennee Lindsay

Foster Wynne (with Pepper)

Park Educational Programs

The Lac Le Jeune provincial park offers free educational programs. The Jerry's Rangers program is a great way for kids to learn about local plants, insects, and wildlife. They also have safe camping and hiking classes. The information is posted at the kiosk at the park entrance. Here are two upcoming events:

Many Faces of Lac Le Jeune
Sunday, June 27 at 7:30pm, Amphitheatre

Jerry's Rangers Careful Camper
Monday, June 28 at 3pm, Day Use Area