This wildfire in 2013 at Spotted Lake was caused by a local resident defying a fire ban to burn garbage. The resident was later convicted. Penalties for violating a fire ban can be very severe. Already there have been 36 wildfires in Kamloops Fire Centre just since April 1 this year. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Open fires are now prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre since noon Sunday.
Osoyoos is within the Kamloops Fire Centre, however, like other municipalities, it sets its own restrictions. It often, but not always, mirrors the provincial restrictions.
The prohibition covers all B.C. parks, Crown land and private land, but it does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire protection bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department.
The prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, and it doesn’t apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.
The move to ban Category 2 and Category 3 open fires is intended to prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public, B.C. Wildfire Service says in a news release.
It prohibits burning of waste, slash or other materials larger than a half-metre by a half metre. It also prohibits burning more than two open fires at the same time, burning stubble or grass, use of fireworks, sky lanterns or burning barrels.
Between April 1 and May 11, B.C. Wildfire Service has responded to 36 wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre and many of these were the result of poorly planned open burning.
Violators may be issued a ticket for $1,150, and may be required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000.
If convicted in court, they could face a fine up to $100,000 and/or one year in jail.
If the violation results in a wildfire, they could be required to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
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