Regional campfire ban to be lifted Friday

Aug 31, 2022 | 5:45 PM

The B.C. Wildfire Service is lifting the campfire ban for the region that includes Vernon and the Okanagan.

The ban for the Kamloops Fire Centre is set to be rescinded at noon Friday (Sept. 2).

The campfire ban is being lifted as the region is seeing shorter days, increased overnight recoveries and relative humidities.

The public is still reminded to be responsible and ensure the fires are maintained safely.

Local government’s may have campfires bans in effet, which, if they remain in effect, can still be enforced despite the regional ban being lifted.

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While the campfire ban is being rescinded, the prohibition against any Category 2 or 3 open fires will remain in effect. Those include:

Open burning exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width
Burning stubble or grass over an area that exceeds 0.2 hectares
Burning one or more windrows, or rows of cut hay or small grain crop
Using fireworks or sky lanterns
Using burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description, except when used for a campfire
Using binary exploding targets

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150 and required to pay an administrative penalty up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to a year in jail.

If a contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the responsible party may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Anyone who spots a wildfire or an open burning violation is asked to report the sighting at 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone.

by Liam Verster

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