Recreational off-road vehicles banned on Crown land across Boundary

Recreational off-road vehicle use is prohibited on Crown land throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, including the Boundary, as wildfire danger remains elevated.

Photo by Vasile Valcan

GRAND FORKS — Recreational use of off-road vehicles is now prohibited on Crown land across the Boundary as B.C. officials try to reduce the risk of new wildfires during increasingly dry conditions.

The restriction took effect at noon Monday, Aug. 10, and applies throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, which includes the Boundary Fire Zone and the Grand Forks area.

The prohibition covers all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and off-road side-by-side vehicles when they are being used recreationally. On-highway vehicles are still permitted, but must remain on road surfaces.

BC Wildfire Service said the measure was introduced because of the number and scale of wildfires burning in the province, elevated fire danger ratings and extremely dry conditions across many southern regions.

Off-road vehicles can cause accidental ignitions, adding the risk of new fires at a time when wildfire crews are already responding to significant fire activity. The province is also strongly urging people to stay out of the backcountry in affected regions, noting that evacuations and emergency assistance can become more difficult if a wildfire starts or conditions change rapidly.

The prohibition does not apply to private land or national parks.

Emergency responders are exempt, as are agricultural, commercial and industrial users operating off-road vehicles for farming or business purposes. Customers who remain with a commercial or industrial operator using an ORV as part of their business are also exempt.

The Southeast restriction is scheduled to remain in effect until noon on Oct. 9, although BC Wildfire Service can rescind it earlier or expand restrictions if conditions warrant.

Anyone who violates the prohibition can face a ticket of up to $1,150. A person whose actions cause or contribute to a wildfire may also be ordered to pay firefighting and associated costs.

The Southeast is not the only part of the province affected. Recreational ORV restrictions were also imposed Monday throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, in the 100 Mile House Forest District in the Cariboo Fire Centre and in portions of the Coastal Fire Centre.

BC Wildfire Service is asking people to check current prohibitions and restrictions before travelling because wildfire conditions and closures can change quickly.

Violations of the ORV restriction can be reported to the Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277 or through the province's online reporting service.