Another open burning ban is coming into effect across the Kamloops Fire Centre.
Starting at noon on Friday, May 17, category two open fires will be banned across the Lillooet, Kamloops, Merritt, Vernon and Penticton fire zones.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the ban is being put in place to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.
The ban will remain in place until Oct. 11, or until the order is rescinded.
Category three open burns were banned at noon on Friday, May 3.
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A category two open fire is classified as the following:
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Material in one pile not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width
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Material concurrently in 2 piles each not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width
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Stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares
Category one campfires, or fires that are a half-metre high by a high-metre wide or smaller, are still not being banned at this time.
The ban applies to all public and private land within the Kamloops Fire Centre, unless specified otherwise in a local government bylaw.
Anyone found disobeying the ban may be issued a ticket for $11,50, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail, says the BCWS in the news release.
Additionally, if the fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay for all firefighting and other associated costs.
