Campfire Ban in effect for Kamloops Fire Centre
File Photo (Image Credit: Roger White)
Aug 28, 2025 | 4:49 AM
Roger White
Starting today (August 28) , the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has issued a campfire ban for the Kamloops Fire Centre which includes Merritt and surrounding area.
In a press release, the BCWS said that the the following open fires are prohibited in the Kamloops Fire Centre;
- Category 1 campfires as defined in the Wildfire Regulation;
- Category 2 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation; and,
- Category 3 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation.
The wildfire ban begins at noon today (August 28) and will remain in effect until Oct. 17 or until orders are rescinded.
A campfire is defined as:
- Any fire no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide (a fire larger than this is considered a Category 2 fire).
- Used by any person for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for a ceremonial purpose.
In addition to campfires being prohibited, the following activities and equipment are also restricted:
- Air curtain burners
- Carbonizers
- Binary exploding targets
- Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
- Controlled air incinerators
- Sky lanterns
- Wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building
Failure to comply with the campfire ban could result in fines ranging from $1150 to $100,000.

Comments