Image Credit: Shutterstock
September 24, 2017 - 9:30 AM
OKANAGAN - Even though the wildfire threat has been reduced due to rain and cooler weather and the campfire ban was lifted in Southern Interior on the first day of fall, campfire bans are still in place in some areas.
Campfires are again allowed within the City of West Kelowna, Districts of Lake Country, Peachland and the Regional District of Central Okanagan fire protection areas, which include Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside, Wilson's Landing as long as appropriate precautions are taken to prevent the spread of fire, according to the City of West Kelowna released Friday, Sept. 22.
In the City of Kelowna, however, campfires are not permitted.
Click here for more information on the City of West Kelowna's campfire regulations.
In the Central Okanagan, for the first time since 2012, the start of the open burning season will be delayed. The City of West Kelowna release states that local government fire bylaws typically permit open burning on October 1 which must be completed by April 30, however, fire chiefs may change the dates depending on the fire hazard in their area. This year the Central Okanagan fire chiefs have decided to postpone the start of open burning and will announce a date and begin issuing permits when conditions improve.
Residents are encouraged to report anyone who is illegally burning by calling the Regional Fire Dispatch Centre at 250-469-8577.
Also, the City of Enderby and the Shuswap River Fire Protection District's fire hazard is still high so the restrictions on open air burning, including campfires, will remain in place, according to a City of Enderby release issued yesterday, Sept. 24.
“The Enderby & District Fire Department thanks residents and visitors for continuing to observe the ban on open air burning and campfires,” says Fire Chief Cliff Vetter. “The wildfire risk remains high, despite the cooler temperatures. This measure will help prevent human-caused wildfires until the hazard level drops. While we often follow the Kamloops Fire Centre’s lead on fire prevention measures, in this case the local conditions merit additional protection.”
The prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid fuel or gaseous fuel, so long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres, says the City of Enderby's Chief Administrative Officer Tate Bengtson.
The ban applies to open fires. Industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches, sky lanterns and burning barrels are included in the ban.
Bengtson says this ban will continue until notice is given by the Fire Chief for the Enderby & District Fire Department.
The Armstrong/Spallumcheen Fire Chief Ian Cummings has declared all open air burning including campfires be banned until conditions improve, according to a City of Armstrong release issued Friday, Sept. 22.
Fire conditions remain high to extreme with little precipitation expected over the next 14 days in Armstrong.
City of Armstrong Emergency Program Coordinator and Manager of Community Services Warren Smith says, the Fire Department will continue to evaluate the conditions and make recommendations accordingly.
Cities such as Armstrong and the City of West Kelowna want to remind the public that violators could receive a fine and be responsible for firefighting costs.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Taylor Rae or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2017