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Fire prohibition in effect Friday

Small campfires and camp stoves not included
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Effective noon today, May 19, the size of open fires will be restricted in some parts of the Kamloops and Vernon fire centres. The prohibition does not ban campfires that are smaller than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide.-Imaged credit: Black Press file photo

Effective at noon on Friday, May 19, the size of open fires will be restricted in some parts of the Kamloops and Vernon Fire Centres to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.

The prohibition does not ban campfires that are smaller than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide, and does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.

Anyone conducting Category 2 or Category 3 open burns in these areas must extinguish the fires by then. This prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 15, 2017, or until further notice. It extends through the Shuswap, from Sicamous and Salmon Arm south to Vernon, for elevations below 1,200 metres.

Specifically, prohibited Category 2 and 3 burning activities will include: the burning of more than two open fires of any size at the same time; stubble or grass fires of any size over any area; the use of fireworks or burning barrels; and the use of binary exploding targets.

The prohibition covers all B.C. parks, Crown lands and private lands in these areas, but does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire protection bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department.