Ban on Category 2 and 3 burning begins Thursday throughout Kamloops Fire Centre

BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) officials in the Kamloops Fire Centre, which includes Merritt and area, are taking after their colleagues in the Cariboo, enacting a Category 2 and 3 burn prohibition.

A news release notes the prohibition will come into force Thursday (May 7) at 12:00 noon.

BCWS officials say the ban is coming into place in order “to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.” A similar ban has already been enacted in the districts of Barriere and Clearwater.

Category 2 and 3 fires typically refer to the burning of yard waste piles and woody material, with fire sizes smaller than two metres high by three meters wide.

The prohibition will also cover air curtain burners, carbonizers, binary exploding targets, fireworks and burn barrels.

Category 1 campfires are still allowed, subject to municipal rules.

The ban on Category 2 and 3 fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre is expected to remain in place through the summer and lifted on October 19.

The Cariboo Fire Centre enacted its own Category 2 and 3 burn prohibition on April 23.

More information is available here.