The ban is on.
As of Sunday, June 15, all but small campfires have been prohibited anywhere in the Kamloops Fire Centre, which includes the Shuswap.
The burning ban is to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.
All five fires in the Salmon Arm Zone this year have been human caused.
This open fire prohibition applies to: • the burning of any waste, slash or other materials; • the burning of stubble or grass; • the use of fireworks, sky lanterns or burning barrels of any size or description.
Only campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller) are permitted, as are cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.
This prohibition covers all B.C. parks, Crown lands and private lands, but it does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department.
As always, the city has followed the Fire Centre’s lead by imposing a burning ban on all but campfires.
“Fireworks are permitted (under a city bylaw) but are subject to a ban if conditions dictate,” says fire chief Brad Shirley. “Burning barrels are not permitted in Salmon Arm even when there is no ban. They are prohibited year round.”
Salmon Arm campfire permits are $10 per year and information regarding campfire regulations are available at www.salmonarm.ca, or at the downtown firehall across from Fletcher Park.