As summer comes to a close, residents of the Kootenays have a last chance to enjoy a good old-fashioned campfire.
As of noon on Monday, campfires are no longer banned in the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.
Fires need to be no more than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide, and open fires in an outdoor stove are also permitted.
No campfire should be left unattended for any length of time, and it should be fully extinguished before its abandoned.
Any other outdoor burning, including fireworks and backyard burning piles, remains prohibited.
Tickets for illegal burning are $345, and individuals can also be required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000. If convicted in court the penalty can be a fine of up to $100,000 or a year in prison.
If illegal burning contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible could be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
