Fire rating 'moderate to high' for Kamloops and Okanagan

| June 23, 2017 in Provincial

Local Community Advertising

Hot and dry weather is headed for both Kamloops and Kelowna over the next few weeks, according to the Kamloops Fire Centre.

The BC Wildfire Service is asking the public to be on alert as fire activity is expected to amp up in the next few weeks.

Be extra vigilant with putting out cigarette butts and report any smoke or fires that they see.

Currently, the fire danger rating through the Kamloops Fire Centre is sitting at "moderate to high, with pockets of extreme" in the Lilloet Fire Zone.

The Centre reminds the public to be cautious with campfire use and other outdoor activities that could ignite a fire, including heat from dirt bikes and ATV's in tall grass.

Campfires are currently still permitted but may not be larger than half a metre wide and half a metre high.

The fine for leaving a campfire unattended for any length of time is $1,150.

Larger Category 2 and 3 open fires are currently prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Also, fireworks, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages and exploding targets are not allowed.

Anyone caught not obeying the laws around open burning fires, can be fined $1,150 and required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000, or if convicted in court, can be fined up to $100,000 or sentenced to a year in prison.

If the fire contributes to a forest fire, the person may be forced to pay all costs associated fighting the fire.

For more information on B.C. Campfire Regulations, visit the website here.

Local Community Advertising

Trending Stories

Downtown Kelowna coffee shop appears to have mysteriously closed

BC Mounties 'very concerned' about missing 29-year-old woman

Woman with knife arrested inside BC school

'Highly destructive' tree-killing insect found in BC for first time

Decades-old temperature record broken in chilly Merritt

Loblaw leaders push back on 'misguided criticism' of grocer as boycott begins

Tories enjoy 'largest lead ever measured' as budget fails to change Liberals' dismal polling

These 14 Kelowna roads will be resurfaced this summer