Open-burning bans lifted, eased in two more fire centres in southern B.C.

VANCOUVER – The ban on open fires, burn barrels, fireworks and tiki torches has been lifted in two more British Columbia regions due to the decreased risk of forest fires.

The BC Wildfire Service says its ban in the Coastal Fire Centre ended at noon Monday.

It says the ban will partially end in the Kamloops Centre at noon Tuesday, allowing open burning in the Clearwater zone and in the Salmon Arm zone in areas above 1,200 metres.

The ban will remain in all other areas of the Salmon Arm zone until Oct. 1, and in Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton, Merritt and Lilloeet until Oct. 15.

The wildfire service says its decisions only apply to provincial parks, Crown and private lands but not municipalities, which have their own bylaws.

It says people who plan to do any open burning should check with their local governments to ensure there are no restrictions.