Effective at 12 noon on July 23, campfires remain prohibited in all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre except the Clearwater Fire Zone.

This partial rescind of the current campfire ban is due to rain received over the last several days, which has resulted in a decreased wildfire risk in the Clearwater Fire Zone. The campfire ban remains in effect for all other fire zones to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

A map of the area covered by the revised campfire ban is available online at: http://bit.ly/1rwRqsa

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, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

Category 2 and 3 open fires remain prohibited for the entire Kamloops Fire Centre, including the Clearwater 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 a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department. 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 otherwise.

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 Contacts:

Mike McCulley
Fire Information Officer
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5532
mike.mcculley@gov.bc.ca