About one month after some open burning restrictions were eased, the BC Wildfire Service is reinstating the ban to prevent human-caused wildfires as temperatures warm up.

The ban will come into effect at noon next Wednesday, July 29, and it will outlaw Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, as well as fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, and the use of burn barrels and burn cages. It will be in effect across the entire Kamloops Fire Centre.

Campfires will still be allowed as long as they had no smaller than half-a-metre high by half-a-metre wide. Also exempt from the ban are cooking stoves that use gas, propane or charcoal briquettes.

People found violating these restrictions may be issued a ticket for $1,150, while also potentially being required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000. If convicted in court, they could be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.

Before lighting any fires, you’re asked to check with local government authorities to see if any other burning restrictions are in effect.

This fire ban will be in effect until October 15, unless the order is rescinded sooner if conditions improve.