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August 18, 2016 - 12:20 PM
CAMPFIRES STILL ALLOWED IN B.C. PARKS, CROWN AND PRIVATE LANDS
CENTRAL OKANAGAN – Starting tomorrow campfires are prohibited in local government fire jurisdictions in the Central Okanagan.
The local ban takes effect at noon Aug. 19 and will remain in effect until further notice, according to a media release from the regional district.
“As a result of the extremely dry conditions and extended period of hot, dry weather that has boosted the fire danger rating to extreme, local fire chiefs have decided to implement the total ban on campfires within all local government fire jurisdictions in the Regional District of Central Okanagan," regional district spokesperson Bruce Smith says in the release.
Smith says the ban includes the City of West Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland, Westbank First Nation and the Central Okanagan East and West Electoral Areas. Campfires are not permitted at any time within the City of Kelowna.
Campfires are still permitted in B.C. Parks, Crown lands and private lands in the Central Okanagan.
Residents should call the Regional Fire Dispatch Centre at 250-469-8577 if they see someone ignoring the ban, the release says.
In addition, the release urges residents and visitors to carefully and fully extinguish smoking materials and motorists are reminded not to toss cigarettes or other smoking materials from their vehicle.
Smoking is not allowed in any regional park or municipal park in Kelowna and West Kelowna, as well as children’s play areas, sports fields, undeveloped parks and wilderness trails in the District of Peachland.
Open burning continues to be prohibited as are all fireworks throughout most areas of the Central Okanagan. Use of fireworks in the District of Lake Country and City of West Kelowna must be approved in writing by the Fire Chief.
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