Category 2 fire ban

Photo: Contributed

Starting at noon, Category 2 and 3 open fires will be restricted throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires.

The prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 15 or until the order is rescinded.

The Kamloops Fire Centre encompasses the entire Okanagan.

The prohibition is not a campfire ban, however. Campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide are still OK, as are camp stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. 

Prohibited activities will include: 

• Open fires larger than two metres high by three metres wide
• Stubble or grass fires of any size
• Use of fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, tiki torches (and similar kinds of torches)
• Use of burning barrels and burning cages of any size or description, except when used for a campfire as defined by the Wildfire Regulation
• Use of binary exploding targets (pre-packaged or homemade explosives, such as Tannerite, Thundershot, Gryphon, Firebird SS65, Sure Shot or similar products)

Anyone found in contravention may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $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.

Report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.