Image Credit: Shutterstock
September 29, 2015 - 10:39 AM
KAMLOOPS - Open burning will soon be allowed throughout the fire centre, though residents in the Salmon Arm Fire Zone will get first crack at burning off waste materials and stubble or setting off fireworks this fall.
Open burning will be again allowed in the Salmon Arm Fire Zone as of Thursday, Oct. 1, at noon while the Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton, Merritt and Lillooet fire zones will have to wait until Oct. 15.
Burning of waste, slash and other materials, as well as the burning of stubble or grass, and the use of fireworks, sky lanterns and burning barrels fall under the category of open burning.
A ban on campfires less than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide has already been rescinded throughout the fire centre.
Anyone lighting a fire must have enough people and proper equipment to prevent the fire from escaping the designated area. Open burning is allowed when air quality and venting conditions are good and in some cases permits are required.
Individual municipalities serviced by a fire department set their own burning regulations. The Central Okanagan plans to lift an open burning ban as of Oct. 1 while the regular open burning season for the South Okanagan usually begins Oct. 15 and in the North Okanagan it typically begins Oct. 31. Kamloops opened up permits for the burning of yard waste on Sept. 26.
There is currently one fire of note still burning in the fire centre, the Testalinden Creek fire near Oliver, and five other active wildfires. Four are in or near Wells Gray Provincial Park and the other near Graystokes Protected Area. All six fires were lightning caused.
Image Credit: B.C. Wildfire
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News from © iNFOnews, 2015