By Cpl. Jeff Witzke

This past week, July 10 to July 16, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 72 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.

Stressed hikers rescued by SAR

On July 12, Columbia Valley RCMP received a SOS from a Garmin Inreach where two hikers needed help. They had encountered a bear while hiking then were caught in a rainstorm and were now soaked with no shelter or dry clothes. Columbia Valley Search and Rescue was dispatched and with the use of a helicopter located and transported the hiker back to Invermere just prior to sunset.

Excessive speeder fined and has vehicle impounded for a week

On July 13, a member of the Columbia Valley RCMP was travelling northbound on Hwy 93/95 near Radium Hot Springs when they observed an oncoming vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed. The said vehicle was clocked at 144 km/h on the police vehicles radar. A traffic stop was conducted where the driver was issued a ticket for excessive speed and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

Fines for having a campfire are $1,150

On July 13, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to a report of some campers having a fire. Members attended and did locate a small campfire. According to the government of B.C., 1.2 million hectares of land in B.C. has burned this year due to wildfires. As of July 10, there is a complete fire ban for the majority of the province including the Columbia Valley.  The RCMP and Conservation Officers will be enforcing this ban. Fines for having a campfire are $1,150.

– Cpl. Jeff Witzke is Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment commander

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