An open fire ban begins Wednesday, June 12 in the Kamloops Fire Centre.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
June 08, 2019 - 12:28 PM
OKANAGAN - Open fires larger than the average campfire will be restricted in the Okanagan, along with certain equipment and activities, starting next week in an effort to curb human-made wildfires.
BC Wildfire Service announced Category Two and Three open fires will be restricted throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre starting at noon on June 12. The prohibition will last until Oct. 15, or until the order is rescinded.
Campfires no larger than than half-a-metre tall and half-a-metre wide do not fall under this restriction. A definition of different fire categories can be found here.
The prohibition area covers Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna, and Penticton.
The scope of the upcoming open fire prohibition.
Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service
Certain activities and equipment are also banned, including stubble or grass fires of any kind, one or more open fires larger than one metre high by two metres wide, using fireworks, sky lanterns, firecrackers, or torches, using burning barrels or cages, and using binary exploding targets.
Anyone who violates the open burning prohibition will be issued an $1,150 ticket, be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000, and, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in prison.
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