INFORMATION BULLETIN

2010FOR0153-001093 Sept. 16, 2010

Ministry of Forests and Range Wildfire Management Branch

 

PARTIAL RESCINDING OF OPEN FIRE PROHIBITIONS

 

KAMLOOPS – Effective at noon Monday, Sept. 20, 2010, Category 2 and 3 open fires and fireworks will be permitted throughout most of the Kamloops Fire Centre.

 

Category 3 open fires remain prohibited in the Vernon and Penticton fire zones. As well, in these two zones, Category 2 fires and fireworks are only allowed in areas above 1,000 metres in elevation.

 

Category 2 open fires burn material smaller than two metres in height and three metres in width, or stubble or grass covering less than 2,000 square metres.

 

Category 3 open fires are larger than two metres by three metres, cover an area larger than 2,000 square metres, or burn more than two piles of any size. In areas where Category 3 open fires are allowed, a burn registration number is required. To request a burn registration number, call 1 888 797-1717.

 

Anyone lighting an open fire must have enough people, water and equipment on hand to extinguish it. Please ensure fires are not lit or kept burning during windy conditions and that they are fully extinguished before leaving the area.

 

The rescinding of this prohibition applies to all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with civic authorities for any restrictions before lighting a fire.

 

Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban may be issued a ticket for $345. Should a wildfire occur as a result of recklessness, a person can be fined up to $1 million or spend three years in prison and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

 

The Kamloops Fire Centre extends from the northern border of Wells Gray Park, north of Blue River to the U.S. border in the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Goldbridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby.

 

 

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

 

For more information on wildfire management in B.C., visit www.bcwildfire.ca online.

 

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Media Contact:

Michaela Swan Fire Information Officer Kamloops Fire Centre 250 554-5532 250 318-7456

 

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