233063
231507

Kamloops  

Don't be fooled by rain

Despite the recent rainfall in the Kamloops Fire Centre, the B.C. Wildfire Service has issued a reminder that Category 2 and Category 3 prohibitions are still in effect.

Current weather forecasts for the Kamloops Fire Centre are calling for thundershowers and the possibility of lightning.

The service says it is vital resources are ready to deal with any wildfires sparked by lightning and not tied up responding to preventable, human-caused fires.

Since April 1, crews have responded to 67 wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre that have covered 213 hectares. The service says many of the fires were the result of poorly planned open burning.

So far this month, there have been over 20 instances of non-compliant fire use throughout the fire centre, with many of them occurring in the Salmon Arm and Penticton fire zones.

The current Category 2 and Category 3 prohibitions will remain in effect until Oct. 15, or until further notice. A map of the affected areas is available online.

Prohibited activities include:

  • The burning of any waste, slash or other materials (piled or unpiled) at a size larger than one-half metre by one-half metre.
  • The burning of more than two open fires of any size at the same time.
  • Stubble or grass fires of any size over any area.
  • The use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burning barrels or binary exploding targets of any size or description.

The prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller) and does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.

This prohibition covers all B.C. parks, Crown lands and private lands outside cities and towns with their own burning bylaws.

People are warned they face stuff fines, penalties and even jail for breaking the burning prohibition. They could also be ordered to pay all firefighting and other costs.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.



More Kamloops News