The wildfire danger rating has dropped significantly in most parts of the province in recent weeks, but around Osoyoos the rating still ranges from moderate to high. (B.C. Wildfire Service)

Bans on open burning were lifted on the weekend in much of the South Okanagan due to decreased fire risk.

Last Friday, Category 2 and 3 fires were again permitted throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, which includes BC Parks, Crown lands and private property.

This excludes areas in which a local government has forest fire prevention bylaws and a fire department provides service.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) followed by lifting its burning ban effective at noon on Sunday.

The use of campfires, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, air curtain burners, fireworks, burning barrels and burning cages have been allowed in the Kamloops Fire Centre since Sept. 22.

Anyone wishing to light a Category 3 open fire must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time by calling 1-888-797-1717. A burn registration number is not required to light a Category 2 open fire.

People lighting either type of fire must comply with open burning smoke control regulations and to check on local venting conditions.

The RDOS reminds residents that the high risk of forest fires remains due to low levels of precipitation and dry conditions.

You must have a burn permit and even if you have a 2017 burn permit in place, you must check with your local fire chief before burning, the RDOS says. There may be no burning in certain areas.

The RDOS bylaw is enforced by local volunteer fire departments and applies to fire protection areas of Kaleden, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Tulameen and Willowbrook.

If your property is outside one of these fire protection service areas, contact either your municipality or the Ministry of Forests at 1-888-797-1717 to obtain an open air burning permit.

Questions regarding local fire bans can be directed to [email protected] or the RDOS office at 250-492-0237 or toll free at 1-877-610-3737. Information is available at www.rdos.bc.ca.

Further information, including a person’s legal obligations when conducting an open burn, can be found from the province online at www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirebans.

The Kamloops Fire Centre stretches from the northern boundary of Wells Gray Provincial Park to the Canada-U.S. border in the south.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open buring violation, call *5555 on your cellphone or toll free at 1-800-663-5555.

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