All campfires are now banned in the Lillooet Fire Zone and in all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre. The one exception is the Clearwater Fire Zone.
The campfire prohibition will remain in place until the public is notified that it has been rescinded. The ban went into effect at 12 noon on Friday, Aug. 17.
This step was taken to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.
The fire danger rating is currently “high” throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre - including the Lillooet Fire Zone - with scattered pockets of “extreme.”
With the current trend of warm and dry weather, wildfires in the region have displayed very aggressive behaviour and required additional fire suppression resources. Human-caused wildfires can divert critical resources and crews from responding to naturally occurring wildfires.
Open burning is prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre. This prohibition applies to open fires of any size, fires with a burn registration number, industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches and burning barrels. The prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
The open burning prohibition covers all BC Parks and Crown and private lands. Lillooet Fire Department Chief David Harder said last week the ban has been extended to all lands within the District of Lillooet.
Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban, including campfires, may be issued a ticket for up to $345. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness may be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs.
