Taking effect at noon on Friday, July 3, campfires will be banned in the Southeast Fire Centre.
The fire ban, which will remain in place until the public is otherwise notified, is an addition to the current Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions already in effect, a press release sent out by the Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations on June 30 said.
The prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private land, and includes campfires as defined in the wildfire regulation, the burning of waste or other materials, stubble or grass fires of any size, the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, tiki torches, chimineas, burning barrels or burning cages of any size, the use of binary exploding targets and the use of air curtain burners.
Boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department are exempt from the ban.
A $345 ticket may be issued to anyone found violating the fire prohibition, in addition to an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, a fine of up to $100,000 and/or a one year jail sentence.
To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.