Campfire prohibition to be lifted for the Kamloops Fire Centre



KAMLOOPS – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) on Friday, September 2, 2022, campfires will be permitted throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre. The current prohibition against any Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remains in effect throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

The following equipment and activities remain prohibited throughout Kamloops Fire Centre:

  • Category 2 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation;
  • Category 3 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation;
  • Fireworks;
  • Sky Lanterns;
  • Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description, except when used for a campfire as defined by the Wildfire Regulation; and,
  • Binary Exploding Targets.

A map of the affected areas and their associated prohibitions is available online: http://ow.ly/oAHx50KxkuH

While the Kamloops Fire Centre is seeing shorter days, increased overnight recoveries and relative humidities the public is encouraged to exercise caution with any campfire use. It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner.

Before lighting a campfire, the public is encouraged to check with local government authorities to ensure there are no burning restrictions in place. Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused wildfires.

To learn more about the different categories of open burning, visit the Open Burning webpage.

These prohibitions apply to all public and private land within the Kamloops Fire Centre jurisdiction, unless specified otherwise in an enactment (e.g. in a local government bylaw).

Natural resource officers and conservation officers conduct regular patrols throughout British Columbia, including looking out for campfire-related infractions. 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.

To report a wildfire, or open burning violation, 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, call 1 888 3-FOREST or visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

People can follow the latest wildfire news:

Contact:

Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Kamloops Fire Centre

250 554-5965 Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect.