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September 22, 2017 - 10:37 AM
KAMLOOPS - After an unprecedented wildfire season, the campfire ban in the Kamloops Fire Centre has officially been lifted.
B.C. Wildfire Service says in a news release that recent precipitation and more seasonal weather conditions have reduced the wildfire risk.
The ban is also being lifted in the Southeast Fire Centre and the Cariboo Fire Centre, all effective at noon today, Sept. 22.
But B.C. Wildfire is reminding people that Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, which are larger than 0.5 metres by 0.5 metres, are still prohibited.
In the Kamloops Fire Centre and Cariboo Fire Centre, officials say the use of sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, air curtain burners, fireworks and firecrackers, and burning barrels or cages of any kind will be allowed, but they are still prohibited in the Southeast Fire Centre.
If you do want to have a campfire, you still have to be responsible. B.C. Wildfire says you must have ready access to eight litres of water or a shovel during the entire time the campfire is lit. It also must be completely extinguished and the ashes must be cold before you leave the area for any length of time.
Open burning prohibitions apply to all B.C. Parks, Crown lands and private lands but don't apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department, the province says. Before lighting a fire, always check with local authorities to see if there are any other burning restrictions.
The government says if you violate an open burning prohibition, you could be issued a fine of up to $1,150, be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000, or if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If your actions contribute to or cause a wildfire, you could be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
Go here for more information about area restrictions and open burning prohibitions.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation call *5555 on a cellphone or 1 800-663-5555.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017