The current campfire prohibition will continue in all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre, with the exception of the Clearwater Fire Zone, even though the area received significant rainfall over the last few days.

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

The recent precipitation resulted in the fire danger rating decreasing from “high” to “low”. However, the fire danger hazard is expected to rise substantially after this weekend, with the long-range weather forecast indicating a return to hot and dry conditions. The campfire prohibition will remain in place until the public is notified that it has been rescinded.

This past week, the Kamloops Fire Centre experienced severe lightning activity throughout most of the region, resulting in eight new lightning-sparked wildfires. As the weather warms up and forest fuels dry out, it’s possible that more wildfires will flare up as a result of “holdover” strikes from the storm that passed through on Wednesday. Fire crews will be actively responding to these naturally occurring wildfires.

The campfire prohibition is intended to help prevent human-caused wildfires and allow the Wildfire Management Branch’s resources to respond to any new lightning-caused fires. As of July 25, 2014, 63% of the wildfires that the Wildfire Management Branch has responded to in B.C. have been person-caused and were therefore preventable.

Anyone found in violation of an open fire prohibition, 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.

To report a violation of the campfire ban, please call 1 844 NRO-TIPS (1 844 676-8477) or fill out the reporting form at: www.for.gov.bc.ca/hen/nrv/

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

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

Media Contacts:

Mike McCulley
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5532