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Campfire ban lifted in some areas of Kamloops Fire Centre

Kamloops Fire Centre seeing shorter days, increased overnight recoveries and relative humidities
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Time to break out the marshmallows.

Campfires are being permitted again by the Kamloops Fire Centre, effective noon Friday, Sept. 2 - however, some areas in the region will still be under a ban.

The current prohibition against any Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remains in effect, including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels or burn cages and binary exploding targets.

“While the Kamloops Fire Centre is seeing shorter days, increased overnight recoveries and relative humidities the public is encouraged to exercise caution with any campfire use,” the BCWS said in a release Wednesday. “It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner.”

Despite the lifting of the ban, the Regional District of Central Okanagan still prohibits campfires under their own jurisdiction, which includes the City of West Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland, Westbank First Nation and the Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside and Wilson’s Landing.

Before lighting a campfire, the public is encouraged to check with local government authorities to ensure there are no burning restrictions in place.

Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility.

“Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused wildfires,” BCWS said.

Prohibitions apply to all public and private land within the Kamloops Fire Centre jurisdiction, unless specified otherwise in an enactment (e.g. in a local government bylaw).

Natural resource officers and conservation officers conduct regular patrols throughout British Columbia, including looking out for campfire-related infractions.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.

If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Note: An earlier version of this story indicated that the ban had been lifted across the Okanagan.

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Jennifer Smith

About the Author: Jennifer Smith

Vernon has always been my home, and I've been working at The Morning Star since 2004.
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