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Camp fire ban not lifted in Central Okanagan

Despite province lifting ban in Kamloops Fire Centre, local governments say that’s not the case here
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It may look like an idyllic scene, but it’s actually still illegal in the Central Okanagan, where campfires are still banned despite a lifting of the ban in the rest of the Kamloops Fire Centre. —Image: contributed

Despite an announcement that the campfire ban in the Kamloops Fire Centre—which includes the Central Okanagan—was lifted at noon on Friday, the Central Okanagan Regional District says that is not the case in its jurisdiction.

“Central Okanagan fire chiefs have not lifted the ban on campfires currently in place in the Regional District of Central Okanagan due to continued high fire hazard ratings,” said the regional district in a release issued Friday afternoon.

The ban, put in place July 26, remains in effect until further notice in local government jurisdictions of the regional district, including Kelowna,Lake Country, West Kelowna, Peachland, the Westbank First Nation and the regional district electoral areas of Central Okanagan East and West, said the RDCO.

Violators could be fined and charged with the cost of fire department response to a burning complaint.

Related: Campfire ban in Kamloops Fire Centre to be lifted noon Friday

On Friday, provincial fire information officer Brenna Ward told Black Press the decision to lift the ban in the Kamloops Fire Centre was made after considering “more seasonal fall” weather trends—lower temperatures and higher humidity.

“I think people are looking forward to the ban being lifted, especially as we head into hunting season,” she said.

While the campfire ban was lifted in soem areas of the the fire centre, a ban on open fires—burning materials, grass or stubble—remains in effect.

In the Central Okanagan, residents are encouraged to report illegal burning by calling the regional fire dispatch centre at 250-469-8577 and if they see smoke call 9-1-1.

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