High fire danger calls for extreme caution from everyone

With a number of new wildfires breaking out in the southern interior, fire officials in Vernon are urging everyone to practice extreme caution while outdoors to help prevent human-caused fires.

The fire danger rating in the city is currently listed as high.

There are currently 22 active wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre (as of 12:30 p.m. Aug. 20), with 12 in the last two days, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

“Please be mindful with the discarding of cigarettes and be cautious if using spark-producing machinery such as welders, mowers, chainsaws, grinders, power tools and any equipment that could strike a rock and create a spark,” stated a city news release from Fire Rescue Services. “To help mitigate wildfire risks, people doing this sort of work may be required to have fire suppression systems and equipment available, maintain a fire watch after operations are completed and comply with shutdown regulations.”