Open Fire Restrictions

New open fire restrictions come into effect at noon on Thursday, June 15th.

The size of open fires will be restricted at all elevations throughout the entire Kamloops Fire Centre, including Vernon, to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.

The restrictions cover the burning of any waste, slash or other materials larger than one-half metre by one-half metre.

Also forbidden is the burning of more than two open fires of any size at the same time, stubble or grass fires of any size over any area and the use of fireworks or burning barrels of any size or description
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This prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller.

Anyone conducting Category 2 or 3 fires anywhere in the Kamloops Fire Centre’s jurisdiction must extinguish those fires by noon on June 15.

This prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 15, 2017 or until further notice.

This prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but it does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire protection bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department.

Before lighting any fire, residents should check with local government authorities to see if any other burning bylaws or restrictions are in place.

Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail.

If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.