The size of an open fire is under restriction as of 12 noon on Tuesday, May 15, to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.
Since April 1, Kamloops Fire Centre crews have responded to wildfire incidents covering approximately 300 hectares. Many of these wildfires resulted from poorly planned open burning.
This prohibition applies to all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre except the Clearwater and Salmon Arm fire zones. Anyone conducting Category 2 or 3 fires outside of those two zones must extinguish such fires by noon on May 15. This prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 15, 2012, or until further notice.
A map of the affected areas is available online at: http://bcwildfire.ca/ftp/!Project/WildfireNews/KFCMay15.pdf
Scripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp
Anyone planning to conduct an open burn before the prohibition takes effect should review the Information Bulletin at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=1865
For information about open burning and for more tips on making responsible burning decisions, please download one of the guides to open burning at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp
Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
