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Fire prevention measures take hold May 15 through most of the Kamloops Fire Centre.
The burning bans are aimed at preventing human-caused wildfires and apply to all of the fire centre except the Clearwater fire zone and the Salmon Arm fire zone.
Prohibited activities include:
- The burning of any waste, slash or other materials (piled or unpiled) 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 or burning barrels of any size or description
- This 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.
The prohibition covers all B.C. parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department.
The Kamloops fire centre includes Clearwater, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Vernon, Penticton, Merritt and Lillooet.
The Clearwater and Salmon Arm fire zones will also become subject to the ban on June 15, when all open burning will be prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre. The prohibition runs until Oct. 15 or until further notice.
"Since April 1, Kamloops Fire Centre crews have responded to 12 wildfire incidents covering more than 129 hectares," fire information officer Kayla Pepper said in a release. " Many of these wildfires resulted from poorly planned open burning."
Above-average temperatures and an early drying trend have increased the wildfire risk, so residents are urged to use extra caution with any open burning.
Before lighting any fire, residents should check with local civic authorities regarding any current prohibitions.
Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellphone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.
For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website.
