Open burning bans will be rescinded for Kamloops Fire Centre

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – The two open burning bans in the Kamloops Fire Centre are expected to be rescinded this weekend.

Starting at noon tomorrow, Oct. 15, the category two and category three prohibitions will be lifted. This applies to all B.C. Parks, Crown lands and private lands but doesn't apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department.

The province says in a news release anyone who lights a fire must have sufficient personnel, water and tools on hand to prevent the fire from escaping. Anyone lighting a category three fires must have a burn registration number and comply with air quality control legislation.

A category three fire is a blaze that burns:

• Material piled more than two metres high or three metres wide.
• Stubble or grass more than 0.2 hectares.
• More than two piles of any size.

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

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