Open fire restrictions extended in Okanagan

A map from the Kamloops Fire Centre shows areas where burning restrictions will continue through September.

Contributed

Effective at noon on Friday, September 28, open fire prohibitions in the Kamloops Fire Centre will be extended to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public. Due to recent warm and dry weather, 70 per cent of the region remains at a “high” or “extreme” fire danger rating.

Clearwater and Salmon Arm fire zones: Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are prohibited at elevations below 1,200 metres in the Clearwater and Salmon Arm fire zones until Oct. 15, 2012, or until the public is informed otherwise.

Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton, Merritt and Lillooet fire zones: Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are prohibited at all elevations in the Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton, Merritt and Lillooet fire zones until Oct. 31, 2012, or until the public is informed otherwise.

Specifically, these open fire prohibitions apply to:

• the burning of any material piled larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide.
• the burning of stubble or grass.
• using fireworks or burning barrels of any size or description.

Anyone found in violation of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for up to $345. 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.

The open fire prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.