Small, controlled campfires are again permitted in the Rocky Mountain, Kootenay Lake, and Columbia Forest Districts, and in the Arrow Fire Zone (see map at the bottom of this story), the Southeast Fire Centre announced today.
Gwen Eamer, spokeswoman for the Southeast Fire Centre in Castelgar, said in a statement that the campfire ban remains in place in the Boundary Fire Zone. Category 1, 2 and 3 fire bans, including a ban on fireworks and burning barrels, remain in place across the entire Southeast Fire Centre.
The Boundary Fire Zone, where campfires are not permitted, is bordered by the Okanagan Highland Range of the Monashee Mountains to the west, the height of land along the Christina Range to the east, and the Canada-U.S. border to the south. It encompasses most of the Kettle River and Granby River drainages.
Due to the high wildfire hazard, open fire and campfire bans remain in place across the majority of the province. Campfire patrols will continue in all areas where the ban still applies and the public should ensure they are within the designated area before lighting a campfire.
Within the designated area, the lifting of this campfire ban applies to BC Parks and to all Crown and private lands. It does not apply within municipalities or regional districts that have their own burning restrictions. Please check with your local authorities before lighting a fire.
This campfire ban has been rescinded because of reduced potential for fire starts, recent rainfall and cooler temperatures. Regardless of the lower risk in these specific areas, the public is urged to remain vigilant and cautious with their use of campfires.
The public is reminded to never leave campfires unattended and to fully extinguish them before leaving. Under the Wildfire Act, an individual found responsible for causing a wildfire may face a fine from $100,000 to $1 million dollars, one to three years imprisonment, or both. Failure to comply with burning restrictions may result in a fine of $345.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks.
