The BC Wildfire Service reminds everyone the first fire bans of the season begin today.
Sarting at noon (May 15th) - the size of open fires will be restricted to elevations below 12-hundred metres including:
- 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, tiki torches (and similar kinds of torches), or burning barrels and cages of any size or description
- the use of binary exploding targets.
This prohibition covers all BC parks, Crown lands and private lands in the Kamloops Fire Centre, but it does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire protection bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department. Before lighting any fire, residents should check with local government authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.
The prohibitions will remain in effect until October 15th, but the Wildfire Service says campfires, a half metre high by a half metre wide, and cooking stoves that use propane or briquettes will still be allowed.
Violators could face hefty fines of up to $100,000 if convicted and they could also face jail time - as well as being ordered to pay for any firefighting or associated costs if a wildfire occurs.