Campfire Ban in Effect - July 7, 2023

Jul. 5, 2023

A campfire ban is in effect at 12 pm (noon) on July 7, 2023, for our area.

Please read the complete notice from the BC Wildfire Service below and stay safe out there in these dry conditions.

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For Immediate Release - July 4, 2023 - Ministry of Forests - BC Wildfire Service

Campfire prohibitions to start in Kamloops Fire Centre

KAMLOOPS – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) on Friday, July 7, 2023, Category 1 campfires will be prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. This campfire prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 13, 2023, or until the orders are rescinded.

A map of the affected area can be found here: http://ow.ly/wM9650OHluG

On July 7, 2023, the below 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.

In addition to open fires being prohibited, the following activities and equipment are also restricted:

Fireworks;
Sky Lanterns;
Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description;
Binary Exploding Targets;
Air curtain burners;
Tiki and similar kinds of torches; and,
Chimineas.

These prohibitions apply to all public and private land within the Kamloops Fire Centre jurisdiction unless specified otherwise in an enactment (e.g., in a local government bylaw). Always check with local government authorities to see if any other burning restrictions are in effect.

The use of outdoor stoves is not prohibited. This prohibition does not include the use of outdoor stoves. As per the Wildfire Regulation, an outdoor stove is a CSA-rated or ULC-rated device used outdoors for cooking, heat or ambiance that burns charcoal briquettes, liquid fuel or gaseous fuel and has a flame height that is less than 15 cm tall.

Anyone found in contravention 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 contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Camping is a long-standing tradition in this province. The B.C. government recognizes that people also enjoy having campfires, so it takes any decision to implement a campfire ban very seriously.

Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused wildfires.

The Kamloops Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its continuing help in preventing wildfires.

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 1-888-3-FOREST or visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

People can follow the latest wildfire news:

on the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices
on Twitter: twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
on Facebook: facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Contact:

Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5965
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect.