Effective Friday, open burning will be allowed in Kamloops Fire Centre

As of noon this Friday, open fires will once again be allowed through the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Category two and three open fires have been given the go ahead by the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

Fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels or burn cages and resource management burning will be permitted throughout the region.

The cooler temperatures and higher humidity are forecasted to stick around and have dropped the fire danger rating for much of the area.

“Local governments may still have their own burning restrictions in place, people should always check with local authorities before lighting any fire of any size,” notes BCWS.

The Kamloops Fire Centre extends from the northern border of Wells Gray Provincial Park to the US border in the south and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Gold Bridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby.

A category two fire means open burning in one pile that is two metres high and three metres wide, or two piles of the same size.

A category three fire does not exceed that same size but includes three or more piles burning.

The statement points out that a burn registration must be obtained before burning a category three open fire – call 1-888-797-1717.

Visit this link for more information on fire categories.

The BCWS reminds anyone lighting an open fire should ensure there are enough people, water and tools are available to extinguish a fire.

People are also encouraged not to burn in very windy conditions, create a fire guard by clearing the area of fine fuels like grass and twigs and to never leave a fire unattended.

To report a wildfire or unattended fire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone.

With recent and forecasted weather conditions that include cooler temperatures, and higher humidity, the fire danger rating has dropped throughout the Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres. pic.twitter.com/nzCfbixbwE

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) September 22, 2021

Thumbnail Photo Credit: 123rf