Starting on Tuesday, the size of open fires will be restricted at elevations below 1,200 metres in order to prevent human-caused wildfires.
Category 2 (burn piles under 2 metres high by 3 metres wide, or stubble or grass burning over an area under 0.2 hectares) and Category 3 fires (larger than 2 metres high by 3 metres wide; burning windrows; stubble or grass burning over 0.2 hectares in size) will no longer be allowed until October 15.
Prohibited activities below elevations of 1,200 metres will include:
- Burning more than two open fires at the same time;
- Any stubble or grass fires;
- Using fireworks, sky lanterns, tiki torches (or other torches), or any kind of burning barrels and cages;
- Using binary exploding targets.
Campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller will still be allowed. Cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes are not affected by the ban.
The prohibition covers all B.C. parks, crown lands and private lands in the Kamloops Fire Centre, but does not apply within in the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire protection bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department.
Before lighting any fire, residents are told to check with local government for any other restrictions.
Category 2 or 3 fires, where allowed, are restricted if venting conditions are rated “poor” or “fair.” A venting index is available online here.
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
If the contravention causes or contributed to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
Wildfires, unattended campfires and burning violations can be reported by calling 1-800-663-5555, or *5555 on a cellphone.
Information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories is available online.
