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Open Burning Ban

Vernon, RDNO, Enderby to ban campfires Friday

Jul 7, 2026 | 3:17 PM

The City of Vernon, City of Enderby and Regional District of North Okanagan will implement their own campfire bans in alignment with the broader prohibition.

Effective at noon Friday, July 10, campfires will not be permitted within the North Okanagan cities, the RDNO Electoral Areas or within the Shuswap River Fire Protection Area.

Along with campfires, people will also not be permitted to do any open burning, use fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels or cages, binary exploding targets, tiki and other torches, chimineas, or air curtain burners. The use of wood-fired hot tubs, pizza ovens or other devices will also not be permitted unless they are vented through a structure with a flue.

The prohibition will not apply to outdoor stoves with CSA or ULC ratings.

The City of Vernon added people who violate the campfire ban could be fined up to $1,000 under the City of Vernon Fire Services Bylaw.

“Camping is a cherished tradition in British Columbia, and the RDNO understands that campfires are an important part of the outdoor experience, carefully considering all factors before implementing a campfire prohibition. Preventing wildfires is a shared responsibility,” the Regional District added.

“Human-caused wildfires are entirely preventable and can divert essential firefighting resources away from response to naturally caused fires.”

The bans align with the one issued for the Kamloops Fire Centre by the BCWS and will remain in effect as long as the provincial campfire prohibition is in place.

People who come across a wildfire were urged to call 911 and report it to the B.C. Wildfire Service through the agency’s app, by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll free, or by dialing *5555 on a mobile device.

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