Campfire ban to take effect Friday

Jul 7, 2026 | 12:31 PM

A campfire ban for the Okanagan and surrounding area will come into effect ahead of the weekend.

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) will implement the ban for the entire Kamloops Fire Centre effective noon July 10.

The ban, which will build on the BCWS’s previous orders prohibiting categories 2 and 3 open burning and use of items such as fireworks, burn cages and barrels, and wood fired devices, aimed to “help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.”

The ban will not apply to the use of outdoor stoves with a CSA or a ULC rating and has a flame height less than 15 centimetres tall.

The ban will apply to provincial and federal lands, and municipalities were expected to implement their own campfire prohibition in line with that of the agency.

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Anyone found breaching the fire bans could be issued a fine of up to $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000, or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000. If someone’s fire contributes to or starts a wildfire, the responsible party may also be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

“Camping is a long-standing tradition in this province,” the BCWS said.

“The B.C. government recognizes that people also enjoy having campfires, so it takes any decision to implement a campfire ban very seriously. Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused wildfires.”

The public were also asked to report any wildfires or fire ban breaches by calling the BCWS at 1-800-663-5555 toll free, by dialing *5555 on a mobile device, or through the reporting function on the B.C. Wildfire Service app.

by Liam Verster

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