KAMLOOPS – Effective at 12:00 pm (noon), Pacific Time (PT) on Friday, Oct. 2 2026, Category 2 and 3 open fires will be permitted throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.
Specifically, this rescind refers to the following types of open fires:
A Category 2 open fire, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation, refers to any fire that burns:
- Material in one pile not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width
- Material concurrently in two piles each not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width
- Stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares
A Category 3 open fire, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation, refers to any fire that:
- Burns material concurrently in three or more piles each not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width
- Burns material in one or more piles each exceeding two metres in height or three metres in width
- Has one or more windrows, none of which exceed 200 metres in length or 15 metres in width
- Has stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares
In addition to Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibitions being rescinded, the following equipment and activities are also now permitted:
- 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, except when used for a Category 1 campfire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
- Controlled air incinerators
The rescind of this prohibition applies to all areas in the Kamloops Fire Centre that are outside of municipal boundaries. In addition, this rescindment applies to the following types of land within municipal boundaries:
- Parks, conservancies and recreation areas (Park Act);
- Recreation sites, recreation trails, interpretive forest sites and trail-based recreation areas (Forest and Range Practices Act);
- Ecological reserves (Ecological Reserve Act);
- Wildlife management areas (Wildlife Act); and
- Private managed forest land (Private Managed Forest Land Act).
Local governments may still have their own burning restrictions in place. Always check with local authorities before lighting any fire of any size.
Those conducting any open fire should use caution and be aware of local conditions that might impact their ability to burn safely and control their open fires. You can visit our open fire and safer burning page to learn more. Anyone who lights an open fire must also comply with B.C.’s air quality control legislation. Check the local venting index by calling 1-888-281-2992 or visit: ventilation index. Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1-888-797-1717.
The Kamloops Fire Centre would like to thank the public for their continuing help in preventing wildfires. To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone or through the BCWS mobile app, where you can include a photo. For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories visit: www.bcwildfire.ca.
People can follow the latest wildfire news:
- on the free BC Wildfire Service mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices
- on Facebook
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