Stock photo courtesy of the Regional District of Central Okanagan

By Liam Verster

Takes effect May 3

Open burning ban in place until October

May 3, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Large fires won’t be permitted for the next several months.

Effective at noon today (Friday, May 3), Category 3 open burnings will be prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, including in Vernon, Kelowna, and the entire Okanagan.

“This prohibition is being enacted to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety,” the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) stated on its website.

“These prohibitions apply to all public and private land within the Kamloops Fire Centre jurisdiction, unless specified otherwise in an enactment (e.g.in a local government bylaw). Before lighting any fire, people should check with local government authorities to see if any other burning restrictions are in effect.”

Category 3 refers to fires that are burning material in piles that exceed two metres in height and three metres in width; one or more windrows that exceed 200 metres in length or 15 metres in width; or stubble or grass over an area greater than 0.2 hectares.

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The ban will be in place until October.

Under the BCWS restrictions, people will still be able to do smaller pile burning and have campfires.

Anyone found to have a Category 3 fire could be issued a ticket for $1,150 and be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000. If convicted in court, the individual could be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to a year in jail.

If a fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person who lit it could be forced to pay all firefighting and other costs associated with the blaze.

The public is reminded to report fires within city limits tot heir local fire departments, and to inform the BCWS of any wildfires by calling 1-800-663-555 or by dialing *5555 on a cell phone.