Campfire ban will be lifted in Kamloops Fire Centre

The B.C. Wildfire Service will be lifting its campfire ban for the Kamloops Fire Centre.

The provincial firefighting service stated the cooler wetter weather has improved conditions, allowing for the campfire ban to be lifted effective noon Thursday, Sept. 28.

Along with campfires the use of chimineas and tiki and other torches will once again be permitted in the Kamloops Fire Centre Thursday.

Category 2 and 3 open fires will remain prohibited until noon October 13, or until orders are rescinded by the BCWS. Additionally, fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, air curtain burners, and burn barrels or burn cages remain prohibited.

The prohibitions apply to all public and private land within the Kamloops Fire Centre jurisdiction unless specified otherwise such as through a municipal fire ban.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition could be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to a year in jail.

If a contravention results in or contributes to a wildfire, the individual involved could be ordered to pay for all associated firefighting costs.

Though conditions are improving the risk of a wildfire sparking does still exists. Anyone who witnesses wildfire activity is advised to call the BCWS at 1-800-663-5555 or at *5555 on a cell phone.