Effective at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, campfires will once again be permitted throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

The current campfire prohibition is being rescinded due to recent precipitation, which has resulted in a decreased wildfire risk in the region.

Anyone lighting a campfire must use caution and follow provincial regulations:

• The campfire must not be bigger than a half-metre wide or a half-metre high.
• Flammable material (such a twigs and pine needles) must be removed from around the campfire area and this fuel-free area must be maintained while the campfire is burning.
• A shovel or at least eight litres of water must be available onsite to properly extinguish the fire.
• A campfire must never be left unattended.
• The ashes must be cool to the touch before you leave the area for any length of time.

Category 2 and 3 open fires, however, remain prohibited throughout the entire Kamloops Fire Centre. This prohibition includes any open fire larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide, fires requiring a burn registration number, industrial burning, fireworks, sky lanterns and burning barrels of any size and description.

Anyone found in violation of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for up to $345. If the fire leads to a wildfire, the person(s) responsible may be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs.

These open burning 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 any fire.

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:

Kayla Pepper
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5530
Kayla.Pepper@gov.bc.ca