Summer campfires should come to a halt on Thursday in the Okanagan-Shuswap.
A Category 1 campfire ban goes into effect in the Kamloops Fire Centre at noon on Aug. 28. This includes fires used for recreational and ceremonial purposes.
The City of Salmon Arm Fire Department said it will follow suit, meaning city campfire permits will not be applicable for the duration of the ban. The ban will also be in effect for Columbia Shuswap Regional District electoral areas.
Category 2 and 3 open fire bans are already in effect.
The Kamloops Fire Centre spans between Blue River in the north to the U.S. border, and from Bridge River in the west to Monashee Mountains in the east, including the Southern Okanagan, Lytton and Lillooet areas.
Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000, or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced for up to one year in jail.
If your fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, you may be fined up to $1 million and/or sentenced to up to three years in jail, as well as be responsible for all firefighting and associated costs.
For information on open fire prohibition offences and fines, visit B.C. government's page, and/or read the .
