There will likely be smoke high in the hills of the Salmon Arm Fire Zone.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has rescinded the current open burning ban in areas above 1,200 metres.
But the open burning prohibition will remain in place until Oct. 1 for all other elevations in the Salmon Arm Fire Zone.
Campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller) and cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes are permitted.
But an open fire prohibition remains in place for:
• 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.
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.
But fire chief Brad Shirley says the City of Salmon Arm will follow the lead of the BC Wildfire Branch, allowing only small campfires. For information about open burning and tips on making responsible burning decisions, download an open burning guide at:
http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp.