Wildfire fines more than triple across B.C.

Dramaticallyincreased fines for a variety of wildfire-related violationswent into effect Fridayacross B.C.

The penalty for ignoring a fire restriction is nowmore than triple what it was a year ago, up to$1,100 from $345. Failing to properly put out a burning substance, such as a cigarette, has jumped to $575.

Thefines apply to a total of 19 violations of the Wildfire Actandare among the steepest in Canada.

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"We encourage everyone to do the right thing this fire season by learning more about responsible fire use and making sure they follow the rules," wrote B.C. Minister of Forests Steve Thomson in a news release.

The province says that, on average,30 to40 per cent of wildfires each year are caused by humans.

Last year's wildfire season was one of the busiest and most costly in recent years.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says close to 300,000 hectares of forest were burned, and the province spent $287 million fighting the fires, more than twice the 10-year average.