JULY 7 UPDATE:
Campfires are now prohibited throughout the entire Kamloops Fire Centre.
——
ORIGINAL
As of today, there will be no more roasting smokies on a campfire within the Central Okanagan Regional District boundaries.
With the Central Okanagan’s extreme fire hazard, all campfires will be prohibited throughout all municipalities and electoral fire service areas.
The ban begins 12 p.m. Friday, July 7 and will remain in effect until further notice.
Local fire chiefs have decided to implement the total ban on campfires within all local government fire jurisdictions in the Regional District of Central Okanagan including the City of West Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland, Westbank First Nation and the Central Okanagan East and West Electoral Areas, according to a City of West Kelowna release.
Campfires are not permitted at any time within the City of Kelowna.
Violators could receive a fine and be charged the cost of the fire department response to a burning complaint. Residents are encouraged to report anyone who is illegally burning by calling the Regional Fire Dispatch Centre at 250-469-8577.
Fire departments throughout the Central Okanagan are reminding residents and visitors that all smoking materials should be carefully snuffed out and motorists are reminded not to toss cigarettes or other smoking materials from their vehicle.
Smoking is not allowed in any RDCO regional park or municipal park. Smoking is also prohibited in children’s play areas, sports fields, undeveloped parks and wilderness trails in the District of Peachland.
Open burning has not been allowed within any jurisdiction of the regional district and municipalities since April 30. Local bylaws prohibit the use of any fireworks at any time throughout most areas of the Central Okanagan. Use of fireworks in the District of Lake Country and City of West Kelowna must be approved in writing by the fire chief.
As of Thursday, campfires are still allowed in provincial campsites as the BC Wildfire Service has yet to enact a full campfire ban in the region, so smokies can still be roasted provincially.