By Times Chronicle Staff

Campfires are now banned in the Kamloops Fire Centre – which includes the South Okanagan – effective from 12 noon on Friday July 10.

The ban is in place to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety, according to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

This campfire prohibition will remain in effect until October 9, 2026 at 12 noon, or until the orders are rescinded.

The ban applies to Category 1 campfires which are defined as:

  • Any fire no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide (a fire larger than this is considered a Category 2 fire).
  • Used by any person for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for a ceremonial purpose.
  • In addition to these open fire prohibitions, the following activities, materials and equipment also remain restricted:
  • Air curtain burners
  • Carbonizers
  • Binary exploding targets
  • Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC
  • Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
  • Controlled air incinerators
  • Sky lanterns
  • Wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building.

This prohibition applies to all areas in the Fire Centre that are outside of municipal boundaries. In addition, this prohibition applies to parks, conservancies, recreation areas, etc. Municipalities often follow BC Wildfire Service prohibitions or may impose different prohibitions based on conditions in their local area. In regional districts, this prohibition applies as well as any local prohibition issued by the regional district or improvement district. BC Parks follows BC Wildfire Service prohibitions.

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. This prohibition does not include the use of outdoor stoves.

“Camping is a long-standing tradition in this province. The BC government recognizes that people also enjoy having campfires, so it takes any decision to implement a campfire ban very seriously. Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused wildfires,” the BCWS said.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, use the reporting function in the BC Wildfire Service mobile app and include a photo, call 1 800 663 5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories download the BC Wildfire Service mobile app or visit bcwildfire.ca.