Forest fire season starts early in B.C.

It's only mid-April, but already, the wildfire season in the B.C. Interior has begun, with six forest fires spotted between Prince George, the Cariboo and the Kootenays.

The largest fire burning northwest of Prince George on Eckel Lake Road is already spread over 150 hectares.

So far, none of the fires is burning nearing any homes or other buildings.

Forests Minister Pat Bell said temperatures are expected to be above normal again this year, particularly through the months of May and June.

"We are concerned again that we may be in for another hot and dry summer," he said Thursday morning.

As a result, this year, the B.C. Forest Service plans to step up enforcement of burning bans.

The ministry plans to get enforcement officers in the field earlier to stamp out any illegal fires, and anyone caught even sitting by an illegal campfire could be hit with a $345 fine.

"We will ramp up activity immediately this year," Bell said. "We won't be waiting for fire activity. As soon as we put campfire bans in place, we will be sending out individuals."

During the hot, dry summer of 2009, a total of 3,409 forest fires were spotted across B.C., according to a report released Thursday morning by the wildfire management branch of the Ministry of Forests.

Of those fires, 850 were likely caused by people, and 213 wereclose to some type of building, resulting in 27 evacuation alerts, nine evacuation orders and the destruction of seven buildings and homes.

The final bill for the year was estimated at $400 million, well above the 10-year average of $108 million.