Effective at 12 noon on Wednesday, Aug. 21, campfires will remain prohibited in all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre except the Clearwater Fire Zone.

A map of the areas covered by the campfire ban is available online at: http://bit.ly/168bRv2

The partial rescind of the campfire ban in the Kamloops Fire Centre is due to rainfall over the past week, which has resulted in a decreased wildfire risk in the Clearwater Fire Zone.

However, the current trend of warm and dry weather continues in all fire zones south of the Clearwater Fire Zone. The campfire ban remains in effect for these regions to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

This prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, so long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

Category 2 and 3 open fires remain prohibited in the entire Kamloops Fire Centre, including the Clearwater Fire Zone. This prohibition applies to open fires larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide, fires with a burn registration number, industrial burning, fireworks, sky lanterns and burning barrels.

These prohibitions cover all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but do not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.

Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban, including campfires, may be issued a ticket for up to $345. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness may be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs.

This prohibition will remain in place until the public is notified that it has been rescinded.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news -

• On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo

• On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media Contact:

Michaela Swan
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5532
Michaela.Swan@gov.bc.ca