Residents hoping to be sitting by a campfire on a cool late summer evening are going to have wait a while longer.
The province-wide fire ban is lifted, but Penticton Fire Chief Larry Watkinson says it’s still too soon to lift the open fire ban in the community.
“While last week saw some precipitation, overall ground and forest conditions remain dry and unpredictable in and around Penticton. As such, a local open fire ban remains in place for Penticton,” said Watkinson.
Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban, including campfires or backyard fires, may be fined. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness may also be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs.
For more information contact Chris Forster, deputy fire chief, at 250-490-2310.
Steve Kidd
Senior reporter, Penticton Western News
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