Campfire Ban in Effect
8/17/2012
A campfire ban in the Kamloops Fire Centre will come into effect today at noon and that includes the Okanagan, Similkameen, Kamloops, Shuswap and Lillooet areas.
Fire Information Officer Michaela Swan says the decision was made due to the increasingly warm temperatures that are expected over the weekend.
"The fires that we are seeing are displaying extremely aggresive fire behaviour and requiring a lot of resources in order to get full fire suppression. The campfire ban is in place effective Friday for the weekend activity and will remain in place until further notice"
This prohibition applies to open fires of any size, fires with a burn registration number, industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches and burning barrels.
The prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
Swan says that anyone who violates the ban could face a fine of up to $345 and anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness may be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://bcwildfire.ca.
Anita Sthankiya -Penticton