Effective at noon on Saturday, Oct. 15, the current Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions will be rescinded throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

A map of the affected areas is available online: http://ow.ly/yT5Q3057ahZ

The rescinding of these open fire prohibitions applies to all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does 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 authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.

Anyone who lights a fire must have sufficient personnel, water and tools on hand to prevent the fire 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. Local venting conditions can be obtained online at: www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/venting.html or by calling 1 888 281-2992.

A Category 3 fire is a fire that burns:

• Material piled more than two metres high or three metres wide.
• Stubble or grass over more than 0.2 hectares.
• More than two piles of any size.

The Kamloops Fire Centre extends from the northern border of Wells Gray Provincial Park to the United States border in the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Gold Bridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby.

For information about open burning and tips on making responsible burning decisions, please download an open burning guide:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions

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

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the BC Wildfire Service website: www.bcwildfire.ca

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