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The campfire ban in the Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres has been lifted.

The ban was rescinded due to recent widespread precipitation, which resulted in a decreased risk of wildfires.

The fire danger rating for the Kamloops region, which includes the Okanagan, is now primarily low to moderate.

The following activities are now allowed:

• Campfires no larger than a half-metre wide by a half-metre high.
• An open fire in an outdoor stove.

Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool (such as a shovel) or at least eight litres of water available to fully extinguish it.

Small backyard burning piles (Category 2 open fires) remain prohibited within the both fire centres.

As well, Category 3 open fires are prohibited. These are any open fire that burns material in piles larger than two metres high and three metres wide, windrows, or grass over an area larger than 2,000 square metres.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.

If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

The Southeast Fire Centre covers the area extending from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east. It includes the Selkirk Forest District and the Rocky Mountain Forest District.

Photo: Contributed