Open burning ban lifted in Kamloops Fire Centre
Open burning will once again be allowed in the Kamloops Fire Centre this week.
Effective at noon tomorrow, Sept. 19, open burning will be allowed throughout the fire centre's jurisdiction, including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels, burn cages, binary exploding targets and tiki torches.
According to a news release from B.C. Wildfire, fire danger ratings have dropped to 'low' in most of the Kamloops Fire Centre, and the weather forecast is calling for cooler temperatures, higher humidity and substantial precipitation.
The wildfire service says in the release that it takes several factors into account before rescinding open burning prohibitions, including balancing the needs of the public with the need to mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires. B.C. Wildfire says it has "sufficient" fire response resources in place in case any new wildfires start.
Residents are urged to check with their local governments before lighting a fire of any size to see if there are different burning restrictions in place.
Anyone lighting a fire larger than a Category 3 fire, which burns material more than two metres high or three metres wide, or stubble or grass more than 2,000 square metres, must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1-888-797-1717.
The province says the public should take precautions before lighting a fire including ensuring there are enough people, water and tools on hand, not burning in windy conditions, creating a fire guard around the planned fire, never leaving a fire unattended, and ensuring your fire is fully out and ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area.
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