Due to the current condition of high fire danger rating in our regional area, the regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is implementing a TEMPORARY FIRE BAN.
Effective at noon on Thursday, August 1.
Until further notice, all open burning, including campfires, and fireworks, will be prohibited in the RDOS in conjunction with the municipalities of Penticton, Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos, Princeton, Keremeos, Hedley Improvement District and the Ministry of Forest and Range, BC Forest Service and the Kamloops Fire Centre.
This open burning ban is in effect to protect public safety and to limit the risk of person-caused wildfires. This ban does not restrict fires in cooking stoves using gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating (providing the flame height does not exceed 15 centimeters) but does restrict fires in portable wood-burning fireplaces and campfires.
Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban, including campfires, may be issued a ticket for up to $345 per incident. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness may also be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs.
The RDOS thanks the public in advance for its cooperation in complying with this temporary ban.
For further information please contact Dale Kronebusch, Emergency Services Supervisor, at (250) 490-4139 or go to www.bcwildfire.ca
