Effective at noon on Monday, Sept. 15, open fires will be permitted in the entire Clearwater Fire Zone and areas above 1,200 metres in the Salmon Arm Fire Zone within the Kamloops Fire Centre, due to a decreased risk of wildfires.

All fires larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide remain prohibited in the rest of the Kamloops Fire Centre until Oct. 15, 2014, or until the public is otherwise notified. A map of the affected areas is available online at: http://bit.ly/1BvHukN

The partial rescinding of the open fire prohibition applies to all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments. Please check with civic authorities for any local restrictions before lighting a fire.

Anyone who lights a fire must have sufficient personnel, water and tools on hand to prevent the fire from escaping.

Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1 888 797-1717 and must comply with air quality control legislation.

A Category 3 fire is a fire that burns:

• Material piled more than two metres in height or three metres in width; or
• Stubble or grass over more than 0.2 hectares; or
• More than two piles of any size.

The Kamloops Fire Centre stretches from the northern border of Wells Gray Park near Blue River to the U.S.A. border in the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Gold Bridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby.

For more information, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

Media Contacts:

Kayla Pepper
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5532