Campfire Ban Imposed

Update: 12:30 pm

Campfires are no longer permitted in the Kamloops Fire Centre which includes the North Okanagan and Shuswap.

The Centre imposed the ban today due to the extreme fire hazard.

It will remain in place until further notice.

It covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department.

Violators can be fined $1,150.

The Southeast, Cariboo and Coastal fire centres also have campfire bans in place.

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

A campfire ban has now been ordered throughout the Southeast Fire Centre beginning at noon.

The area is currently experiencing dry conditions and fire danger ratings are generally “high” or “extreme” throughout the region.

With forest fuels drying out and lightning storms in the weather forecast, it is crucial to decrease the risk of human-caused wildfires so firefighters can concentrate on naturally occurring wildfires in the region.

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 Natural Resource District and the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District.