Campfires banned throughout Cariboo Fire Centre

Campfires are now prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

Previously, campfires were only banned in the Chilcotin region.

“This expanded campfire ban will remain in place until the public is notified otherwise. The Cariboo Fire Centre is currently experiencing dry conditions and elevated fire danger ratings. The fire danger rating is “extreme” throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre, with some small pockets of “high” fire danger rating,” said the BC Wildfire Service.

Campfires now banned throughout entirety of #Cariboo Fire Centre: https://t.co/4P4IixLyVv pic.twitter.com/FL8S6irbtM

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 7, 2017

Specifically, prohibited activities will include:

• Lighting any open fire of any size
• Burning of stubble or grass over any area
• Use of tiki torches, chimineas, or fireworks
• Use of sky lanterns, burning barrels, or burning cages of any size or description
• Use of binary exploding targets (eg. for target practice)
• Use of air curtain burners (forced-air burning systems)

These prohibitions do 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 – so long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

The use of a campfire apparatus that does not meet these specifications is prohibited.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.

If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 1 (800) 663-5555 toll-free, or *5555 on a cellphone.

You can also check the BC Wildfire Service website for other areas prohibiting campfires as well.

– with files from Rebecca Dyok, My Cariboo Now

Effective immediately, campfires now banned throughout #Kamloops Fire Centre: https://t.co/ob57bskwUr pic.twitter.com/mpfwuZpdxe

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 7, 2017