Restriction on size of open fires now in effect

NEWS — Effective at noon on May 15, 2014, the size of open fires is now restricted in most of the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires. The prohibition came into effect at noon today (Thursday).

It applies to all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre except the Clearwater Fire Zone and the Salmon Arm Fire Zone. The Clearwater Fire Zone and the Salmon Arm Fire Zone will become subject to the prohibition June 15, when all open burning will be prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

The prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 15, 2014, or until further notice. A map of the affected areas is available online.

Specifically, prohibited activities include:

• The burning of any waste, slash or other materials (piled or unpiled) at a size larger than one-half metre by one-half metre.

• The burning of more than two open fires of any size at the same time.

• Stubble or grass fires of any size over any area.

• The use of fireworks, sky lanterns or burning barrels of any size or description.

• The prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller) and does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.

The prohibition covers all B.C. Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but it does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department. Before lighting any fire, residents should check with local government authorities regarding any current prohibitions.

Since April 1, Kamloops Fire Centre crews have responded to 49 wildfire incidents. Many of them resulted from poorly planned open burning.

The Kamloops Fire Centre stretches from the northern border of Wells Gray Park to the U.S. border to 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, download one of the open burning guides 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, may 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.

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