Category Two open fire prohibition to begin in Kamloops Fire Centre

In a news release from BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) Tuesday (July 12), the burning prohibition is to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. It’s in addition to the ban of Category Three open fires that began on June 30.

MORE: BC Wildfire Service bans larger burns throughout entire Kamloops Fire Centre

The prohibition does not apply to campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide.

Specifically, prohibited equipment and activities will include:

• Category Two and Three open fires,
  • Waste,
  • Slash
  • Open fires
    • Larger than three metres wide by two metres high,
  • Stubble
  • Grass
• Fireworks
  • Firecrackers
• Sky lanterns
• Tiki torches
• Air curtain burners
• Binary exploding targets
• Burn barrels
  • Burn cages

The prohibition will remain in place until Oct. 15, 2022, or until the public is otherwise notified. Anyone conducting a Category Two open fire anywhere within the Kamloops Fire Centre must extinguish them by the time the ban is in effect.

The Kamloops Fire Centre includes the Merritt, Kamloops, Lillooet, Penticton and Vernon Fire Zones.

(Image credit: BC Wildfire Service).

Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, and may be 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 contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Anyone can report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

As of noon Tuesday, BCWS says the fire danger rating in the Kamloops Fire Centre mostly ranks “low” and “moderate.”

(Image credit: BC Wildfire Service).