Campfire bans within the Kamloops Fire Centre and the District of Clearwater will be rescinded, effective Sept. 2 at noon. Current prohibitions against category 2 and 3 open fires will remain in effect throughout both regions, however.
The following activities are still under a prohibition in the Kamloops Fire Centre and the District of Clearwater:
- Category 2 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
- Category 3 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
- Fireworks
- Sky lanterns
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description, except when used for a campfire as defined by the Wildfire Regulation
- Binary exploding targets
A map of the affected areas and their associated prohibitions is available online: http://ow.ly/oAHx50KxkuH
The Kamloops Fire Centre is encouraging the public to use caution with any campfire use as it is the individual’s responsibility to ensure burning is done in a safe and responsible manner.
Check with local government authorities to ensure there are no burning restrictions in place. Municipalities may still be under a campfire ban, despite what the region allows.
Anyone found in breach of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the breach causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
To report a wildfire, or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll free or *5555 on a cell phone.
For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories call 1-800-3-FOREST or visit www.bcwildfire.ca
newsroom@clearwatertimes.com
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