Let's talk about fireworks

Photo by Alexander Kagan on Unsplash

Aside from the mention of fireworks in the context of fire bans, we haven't shared very much on the Lac Le Jeune blog about this practice. There was one post to pass along advice from the SPCA for keeping pets safe. Then there were several reminders about the dangers of fireworks, but all related to wildfires. We haven't really addressed fireworks in the context of noise pollution and the impact on humans, pets, and wildlife. Given the firework activity during the holidays, including Christmas Eve, it seems like a good time to raise awareness.

Fireworks are a common form of celebration, obviously enjoyed by many. In Lac Le Jeune we have a long-time tradition of fireworks to bring in the new year. Some years we hear fireworks on halloween night and during Canada Day celebrations if weather/wildfire situation permits. In any case, the dates and times we could expect to hear fireworks have always been fairly predictable.

This winter there has been both scheduled and random firework activity. In some cases residents have made an effort to warn others through the LLJ Facebook group. Thank you! This is helpful for those of us who need to prepare our pets.

How do you help nervous pets?

It's multi-step and time-sensitive. You can download an entire book on the subject, but here's a quick list is from my own experience.

1. Get a thundershirt or other body wrap on well before the fireworks begin
2. Ensure all escape routes are closed off -- pets may bolt and NEVER return
3. Help pets gain access to locations where they can feel less traumatized -- e.g. basement, under a bed, corner of a bathroom -- there's something appealing about tile floors.
4. Play calming/drowning music. Vivaldi works for us.
5. Stay with them!
6. Help them recuperate (which is why it's helpful to know when the fireworks are going to end). I use treats and play.

What's it like for wildlife?

This is a well researched topic. The issues are too many to list -- permanent hearing loss, nesting animals flee,  panicked and disoriented animals get separated from their young, death from impact with buildings and traffic... and so on.

Trends 

What is the appeal of fireworks? Noise for some, but there is also the spectacular light display. I don't know if we have these spectacular displays in Lac Le Jeune because I'm in the basement :) However, some cities like Banff have implemented silent light shows.

Complete bans on the sale and use of fireworks are being implemented around the world because of the negative impact on wildlife.

What's legal?

There are no no bylaws governing fireworks in the Thompson Nicola Regional District. There is a bylaw regarding "excessive and persistent" noise. I don't expect it would ever come to that but it's good to know there is some recourse. And if we do feel there should be a specific fireworks bylaw this is something we can work toward.

Other solutions?

Personally I prefer a more community-oriented approach which involves education to raise awareness about the downside of fireworks. I've contacted WildSafeBC to see if there are any resources and programs in place.

What's the ask? 

Nobody wants to be the fun police! My attitude is occasional noise in our community is fine as long as it's about having fun. Even though I don't personally understand the appeal of fireworks I appreciate that others enjoy them. A lot! So the ask is the same for any type of noise and for any day or occasion:

Consider celebrating with everyone in mind. 

In that vein, Christmas Eve is definitely not the time for fireworks. Let's not do that again, ok?

Sylvia Currie

Halloween and animals

Halloween can be a scary and challenging time for animals -- both pets and wildlife.

The SPCA website outlines some things to consider for your pets during trick or treating and fireworks. Strange looking people in costumes can cause friendly animals to feel threatened and become aggressive. Running from loud noises is a typical response for many pets.

Keep in mind that fireworks might continue for the days following Halloween; it seems if people get their hands on fireworks, they must set them all off!

Image: SPCA

If using fireworks, please also consider wildlife. Startled birds will collide with trees, cars, and buildings. Wildlife and farm animals become tangled in fences as they flee the loud and unusual noises.

News Release: Ban on all open burning

From the BC Wildfire Website
http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=2396

Campfires, open fires and fireworks banned throughout B.C.

7/3/2015 9:39 AM

KAMLOOPS - Effective at noon (Pacific Time) on Friday, July 3, 2015, all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, will be prohibited throughout the majority of the province, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today. This prohibition will remain in place until the public is otherwise notified. This extraordinary step is being taken to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. Unseasonably hot and dry weather is being experienced around the province and any preventable, human-caused fires divert critical personnel and resources from other incidents. The BC Wildfire Service is responding to over 150 active fires in the province. Campfires will still be allowed in the area known as the "Fog Zone" along the western coast of Vancouver Island. A map of the area covered by this open burning prohibition and campfire ban is available online at: http://bit.ly/1IyUZG4 This ban applies to: - open fires of any size, including campfires; - the use of fireworks, sky lanterns and tiki torches; - burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description; - the use of binary exploding targets (e.g., for rifle target practice); and - the use of air curtain burners (forced-air burning systems). This prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. It also does not apply to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, with a flame length of 15 centimetres or less. The use of this equipment may be prohibited locally and at a later time if deemed necessary so check "current fire bans" online at: www.bcwildfire.ca The use of a portable campfire apparatus that does not meet the conditions noted above is prohibited. This prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with civic authorities for any restrictions before lighting a fire. The "Fog Zone" is a two-kilometre-wide strip along the outer coast of Vancouver Island, stretching from Owen Point (near Port Renfrew) north to the tip of Vancouver Island and around to the boundary of the District of Port Hardy. This strip extends inland two kilometres from the high-tide point. A map of the Fog Zone is available online at: http://bit.ly/1GMvwnU Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. Quote: Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson - "We're committed to safeguarding B.C.'s families, natural resources and infrastructure from wildfires. Given the hot and dry conditions in most of the province, we are implementing this provincewide campfire ban to help protect our communities." Learn more: For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca You can also follow the latest wildfire news: - On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/BCGovFireInfo - On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Halloween 2020

This is a summary of activities and tips I've heard from residents. I'm also including tips to decrease the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19, along with other general safety information.

• The Halloween Goblin Wagon will once again be touring the neighbourhoods!
• Plan for approximately 30 trick-or-treaters.
• Provide well-lit self-serve outdoor treat stations. 
• This is an excellent safety list from BC Centre for Disease Control
• There will be a fireworks display on Water Street at 7:30 and residents are encouraged to watch from a distance. If you're planning your own fireworks display, please keep to the 7:30 schedule that's already been established.
• Keep your pets indoors and ensure all escape routes are closed off. When terrified by noise from fireworks, animals may bolt and NEVER find their way back home. 
• If your pets are stressed, stay with them.
• Nix the fake spider web decorations; birds and small animals can get wrapped up in it.
• Pumpkins attract bears so bring them indoors at the end of the evening.

Sylvia

Category 2 open fire bans in place -- includes fireworks

From the BC Wildfire Services:

It’s almost the Canada Day long weekend, and we know many people are making plans to celebrate – which may mean using fireworks. But did you know that firework bans have been implemented alongside Category 2 and 3 open fire bans?

Current Category 2 open fire bans are in place in the Cariboo, Kamloops, and Coastal Fire Centres (excluding the Haida Gwaii Natural Resource District and the Fog Zone). The Cariboo, Kamloops, and Southeast Fire Centres additionally have Category 3 open fire bans at this time.

Setting off fireworks is considered to be a high-risk activity, since they can easily ignite forest fuels and start a wildfire.

Click on image for a larger view

Campfires prohibited

This news release was just posted on the Wildfire Management Branch - Ministry of Forests and Range - Website:

KAMLOOPS - Effective at noon July 29, 2010, all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, will be prohibited across the Kamloops Fire Centre's jurisdiction to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

The fire danger rating is currently high to extreme across the Kamloops Fire Centre making the risk of a campfire sparking a wildfire a concern to forest officials. Resources from the Kamloops Fire Centre have responded to 55 campfire related incidents so far this season. This takes away valuable resources that are needed to respond to naturally occurring wildfires.

This ban applies to open fires of any size, including campfires, fires with a burn registration number and industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches and burning barrels.

The ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating using briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the flame is kept under 15 centimetres in length.

The ban covers all of the Kamloops Fire Centre's jurisdiction. Within this area, the ban covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with civic authorities for any restrictions before lighting a fire.

Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban, including campfires, may be issued a ticket for $345. Should a wildfire occur as a result of recklessness, a person can be fined up to $1 million or spend three years in prison and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

The ban will be in place until September 30, 2010, or until the public is otherwise notified.

The Kamloops Fire Centre covers an area from the northern border of Wells Gray Park, north of Blue River to the US border in the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Goldbridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire please call *5555 on your cell or toll-free 1 800 663-5555.

BANS: Campfires, Fireworks, and Other Activities

News Release: June 28, 2021

Effective at noon (Pacific time) on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, campfires, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the province of British Columbia.
This prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.

-------------------------------------

Effective at noon (Pacific time) on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, campfires, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the province of British Columbia.

This prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.

The provincial weather forecast calls for record-breaking high temperatures throughout B.C. this week and follows a spring of lower-than-average precipitation in the southern half of the province. These conditions are expected to persist in the coming weeks.

Camping is a long-standing tradition in this province. The B.C. government recognizes that people also enjoy having campfires, so it takes any decision to implement a campfire ban very seriously.

The BC Wildfire Service takes these extreme heat conditions seriously. Additional precautions are being undertaken throughout the province, including fire warden patrols, fixed-wing aircraft patrols and an active enforcement presence. Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires.

The BC Wildfire Service is constantly monitoring current and forecast conditions and maintaining preparedness.

A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.

In addition to campfires, Category 2, and Category 3 open fires, the following activities are also prohibited:

• The use of fireworks
• The use of sky lanterns
• The use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
• The use of binary exploding targets
• The use of tiki and similar kinds of torches
• The use of chimineas
• The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating
• The use of air curtain burners in Cariboo, Coastal, Northwest, Prince George and Southeast fire centres  

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

The FireSmart Begins at Home Manual was developed to help people reduce the risk of personal property damage due to wildfires. Download your copy here: https://firesmartbc.ca/resource-types/guides-manuals/

Learn More:

For further fire prevention information and resources, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention

People can follow the latest wildfire news from the BC Wildfire Service:
The free public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bc-wildfire-service/id1477675008?ls=1
And Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.bc.gov.WildfireInformation&hl=en
Twitter: twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
Facebook: facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

News Release: Fire Prohibition

From the BC Wildfire Management website

5/12/2015 9:31 AM

KAMLOOPS - Effective at noon on Friday, May 15, 2015, the size of open fires will be restricted throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public. The Clearwater Fire Zone and the Salmon Arm Fire Zone were originally not going to be subject to this prohibition until June, but current and forecasted hot and dry weather conditions mean that the prohibition will be expanded to include the entire Kamloops Fire Centre. Currently, the fire-danger rating ranges from "moderate" to "high", with some areas already rated "extreme". Since April 1, Kamloops Fire Centre crews have responded to 26 wildfire incidents. All of these fires were human-caused and therefore preventable. This prohibition is intended to reduce the risk of wildfire throughout the region. Anyone conducting Category 2 or 3 fires anywhere in the Kamloops Fire Centre must extinguish any such fires by noon on Friday, May 15, 2015. This prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 15, 2015 or until further notice. A map of the affected areas is available online at: See the map Specifically, prohibited activities include: - The burning of any waste, slash or other materials (piled or unpiled) at a size larger than one-half metre by one-half metre. - 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, sky lanterns or burning barrels of any size or description. This prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller) and does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. This prohibition covers all BC 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. Before lighting any fire, residents should check with local authorities regarding any current prohibitions. Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. The Kamloops Fire Centre stretches from the northern border of Wells Gray Provincial Park to the U.S. border to the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Gold Bridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby. For information about open burning and tips on making responsible burning decisions, please download one of the open burning guides at: Open Burning Guides To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellphone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: www.bcwildfire.ca You can also follow the latest wildfire news on: - Twitter at @BCGovFireInfo- Facebook at BCForestFireInfo

Open fire prohibition set for Kamloops Fire Centre

6/10/2014 9:53 AM

Effective at noon on Sunday, June 15, 2014, the current open burning ban will be expanded throughout the entire Kamloops Fire Centre to include the Salmon Arm Fire Zone and Clearwater Fire Zone. This is to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public. Anyone planning to light a Category 2 or Category 3 fire in the Salmon Arm Fire Zone or Clearwater Fire Zone must extinguish it by noon on June 15. This prohibition will remain in place in the Clearwater Fire Zone and Salmon Arm Fire Zone for elevations above 1,200 metres until Sept. 15, 2014. For all other elevations in those zones, this prohibition will remain in place until Oct. 1, 2014. This prohibition will remain in place in the Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton, Merritt and Lillooet fire zones until Oct. 15, 2014, or until the public is informed otherwise. A map of the affected areas is available online at: See a map Specifically, 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. This prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller) and does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. This prohibition covers all BC 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. Before lighting any fire, residents should check with local civic authorities regarding any current prohibitions. The Kamloops Fire Centre stretches from the northern border of Wells Gray Park to the U.S. border to the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Gold Bridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby. For information about open burning and tips on making responsible burning decisions, please download one of the open burning guides at: See a guide Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellphone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. Media Contacts: Kayla Pepper Fire Information Officer Wildfire Management Branch Kamloops Fire Centre 250 554-5530 Kelsey Winter Fire Information Officer Wildfire Management Branch Kamloops Fire Centre 250 554-5964

Fire Centre Bulletin 2136

Press release: Campfire prohibitions to start in Kamloops Fire Centre

 

Campfire prohibitions to start in Kamloops Fire Centre

August 1, 2022

KAMLOOPS – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) on Thursday, August 4, 2022, campfires, will be prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. This campfire prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 15, 2022, or until the orders are rescinded.

The Kamloops Fire Centre is currently experiencing hot and dry conditions and fire danger ratings are generally “high” or “extreme” throughout the fire centre. Category 2 and Category 3 open fires and Section 12 Equipment and Activities (listed below) are already prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Camping is a long-standing tradition in this province. The B.C. government recognizes that people also enjoy having campfires, so it takes any decision to implement a campfire ban very seriously.

Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused wildfires.

As of noon on Thursday, August 4, the following activities are prohibited:

• Campfires as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
• Category 2 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
• Category 3 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
• Fireworks
• Sky Lanterns
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
• Binary Exploding Targets
• Tiki and similar kind of torches
• Chimineas, outdoor stoves and other portable campfire apparatuses not CSA or ULC approved

To learn more about the different categories of open burning, visit the Open Burning webpage.

These prohibitions apply to all public and private land within the Kamloops Fire Centre jurisdiction, unless specified otherwise in an enactment (e.g. in a local government bylaw). Always check with local government authorities to see if any other burning restrictions are in effect.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

The Kamloops Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its continuing help in preventing wildfires. To report a wildfire, or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, call 1 888 3-FOREST or visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

People can follow the latest wildfire news:

• on the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices
• on Twitter: twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• on Facebook: facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Contact:

Fire Information Officer

BC Wildfire Service

Kamloops Fire Centre

250 554-5965 

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect.

BC Wildfire Management - Current Bans and Restrictions

This information is from the BC Wildfire Management Branch.

---

Open Fire Bans in Kamloops Fire Centre

• Definition of Open Fire categories

Effective at noon on Saturday, June 15, the current open burning ban will be expanded throughout the entire Kamloops Fire Centre to include the Salmon Arm and Clearwater fire zones, in order to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.

This prohibition will remain in place until Oct. 1, 2013 in the Clearwater and Salmon Arm fire zones and until Oct. 15, 2013 in the Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton, Merritt and Lillooet fire zones, or until the public is informed otherwise.

Specifically, 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

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.

Campfire Bans in Kamloops Fire Centre

• Definition of Campfires

There are currently no campfire bans in effect for the Kamloops fire centre.

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

Forest Use Restrictions in Kamloops Fire Centre

There are currently no forest use restrictions in effect for the Kamloops fire centre.

Open Fire Ban

This notice is from the BC Wildfire Management website:

KAMLOOPS
Effective at noon May 15, 2011, open fires will be restricted within most of the Kamloops Fire Centre's jurisdiction to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public. The restriction will remain in effect until Oct. 15, 2011, or until further notice. Specifically this ban prohibits:

• Burning any waste, slash or other material

• Burning stubble or grass

• The use of fireworks or burning barrels of any size or description

These open fires and burning activities are prohibited in the all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre except the Clearwater and Salmon Arm fire zones. All open burning will be prohibited across the Kamloops Fire Centre effective June 15, 2011.

What's the difference between a fire zone and a fire centre? A centre is dispatch and operational office that serves several geographical zones. The Kamloops Fire Centre office is located near the airport and encompasses Kamloops, Clearwater, Lillooet, Salmon Arm, Merritt, Vernon, and Penticton. See this map for fire zones.

News Release: Campfire Ban

See map (PDF) 

Campfires to be banned within the Kamloops Fire Centre

7/7/2017 12:19 PM
KAMLOOPS - Effective at noon on Friday, July 7, 2017, campfires are prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

This campfire ban will remain in place until the public is otherwise notified.

The Kamloops Fire Centre is currently experiencing hot and dry conditions and fire danger ratings are generally "high" or "extreme" throughout the fire centre. Prohibitions on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are already in effect throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

To learn about the differences between campfires, Category 2 open fires and Category 3 open fires, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirebans - or review the open fire regulations poster at: www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs

Specifically, prohibited activities once the campfire ban takes effect will include:

• campfires, as defined in the wildfire regulation: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirelegislation
• the burning of waste or other materials
• stubble or grass fires of any size over any area
• the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, tiki torches, chimineas, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description
• the use of binary exploding targets (e.g., for target practice)
• the use of air curtain burners (forced air burning systems)

These prohibitions do not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel - as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres. The use of a campfire apparatus that does not meet these specifications is prohibited.

These prohibitions cover all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but do not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department. Always check with local authorities to see if any other burning restrictions are in place before lighting any fire.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Contact:
Jody Lucius
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5965

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

Open fire prohibition set for Kamloops Fire Centre

News release from the Wildfire Management Branch. Open fire prohibition set for Kamloops Fire Centre

4/28/2014 11:03 AM

Effective at noon on May 15, 2014, the size of open fires will be restricted in most of the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public. Since April 1, Kamloops Fire Centre crews have responded to 38 wildfire incidents covering more than 438 hectares. Many of these wildfires resulted from poorly planned open burning. This prohibition applies to all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre except the Clearwater Fire Zone and the Salmon Arm Fire Zone. Anyone conducting Category 2 or 3 fires outside of those two zones must extinguish any such fires by noon on May 15. This prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 15, 2014, or until further notice. A map of the affected areas is available here. The Clearwater Fire Zone and the Salmon Arm Fire Zone will become subject to this prohibition on June 15, 2014, when all open burning will be prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre. Specifically, prohibited activities include: - the burning of any waste, slash or other materials (piled or unpiled) larger than one-half metre by one-half metre - 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, sky lanterns or burning barrels of any size or description This prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller) and does not apply to 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. Before lighting any fire, residents should check with local civic authorities regarding any current prohibitions. The Kamloops Fire Centre stretches from the northern border of Wells Gray Park to the U.S. border to the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Gold Bridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby. For information about open burning and tips on making responsible burning decisions, please download one of the open burning guides at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellphone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. Media Contacts: Kayla Pepper Fire Information Officer Wildfire Management Branch Kamloops Fire Centre 250 554-5530

Campfire ban

Reposted from the BC Wildfire Management Branch Website

Campfire ban throughout most of Kamloops Fire Centre

8/16/2012 11:02 AM
KAMLOOPS -- Effective at 12 noon on Friday, Aug. 17, all campfires are banned in all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre except the Clearwater Fire Zone.

A map of the area covered by the campfire ban is available online at: http://bit.ly/Q0tEMK

This step is being taken to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

The fire danger rating is currently "high" throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, with scattered pockets of "extreme."

With the current trend of warm and dry weather, wildfires in the region have displayed very aggressive behaviour and required additional fire suppression resources. Human-caused wildfires can divert critical resources and crews from responding to naturally occurring wildfires.

Open burning is prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre. This prohibition applies to open fires of any size, fires with a burn registration number, industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches and burning barrels. The prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

The open burning prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.

Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban, including campfires, may be issued a ticket for up to $345. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness may be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs.

This prohibition will remain in place until the public is notified that it has been rescinded.

You can also follow the latest wildfire news --

• On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Fire Centre Bulletin 1924

Campfire Ban

Campfires to be banned within the Kamloops Fire Centre

7/14/2014 3:51 PM

Effective at noon on Wednesday, July 16, all campfires will be prohibited throughout the entire Kamloops Fire Centre. This prohibition will remain in place until the public is notified that it has been rescinded. A map of the area covered by the campfire ban is available online here:See a map This step is being taken to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. The fire danger rating is currently "high" throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, with scattered pockets of "extreme". With the current trend of warm and dry weather, wildfires in the region have displayed very aggressive behaviour and required additional fire suppression resources. Human-caused wildfires can divert critical resources and crews from responding to naturally occurring wildfires. Open burning is also prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre. This prohibition applies to open fires of any size, fires with a burn registration number, industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches, sky lanterns and burning barrels. The prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres. The open burning prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting a fire. Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban, including campfires, may be issued a ticket for up to $345. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness may be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs. To report a violation of the campfire ban within the Kamloops Fire Centre, please call 1 844 NRO-TIPS (1 844 676-8477) or fill out the reporting form at: www.for.gov.bc.ca/hen/nrv/ To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 or #5555 on your cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: www.bcwildfire.ca You can also follow the latest wildfire news -- On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Fire Centre Bulletin

Fire prohibition set for part of Kamloops Fire Centre

4/24/2015 10:01 AM

KAMLOOPS - Effective at noon on May 15, 2015, the size of open fires will be restricted in most of the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public. This prohibition applies to all of the Kamloops Fire Centre except the Clearwater Fire Zone and the Salmon Arm Fire Zone. Anyone conducting Category 2 or 3 fires outside of those two zones must extinguish any such fires by noon on May 15. This prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 15, 2015, or until further notice. A map of the affected areas is available online at: See a map Since April 1, Kamloops Fire Centre crews have responded to 12 wildfire incidents covering more than 129 hectares. Many of these wildfires resulted from poorly planned open burning. Above-average temperatures and an early drying trend in the Kamloops Fire Centre have increased wildfire risks, so residents are urged to use extra caution with any open burning. Specifically, prohibited activities include: * The burning of any waste, slash or other materials (piled or unpiled) larger than one-half metre by one-half metre. * 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, sky lanterns or burning barrels of any size or description. This prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller) and does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. This prohibition covers all BC 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. Before lighting any fire, residents should check with local civic authorities regarding any current prohibitions. The Clearwater Fire Zone and the Salmon Arm Fire Zone will also become subject to this prohibition on June 15, 2015, when all open burning will be prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre. The Kamloops Fire Centre stretches from the northern border of Wells Gray Park to the U.S. border in the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Gold Bridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby. For information about open burning and tips on making responsible burning decisions, please download one of the open burning guides at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. From the Wildfire Management Branch

Wildfires

It's the time of year that we love living in Lac Le Jeune -- perfect for spending those long, warm days enjoying the outdoors. Unfortunately, the hot, dry weather also brings thunder and lightning. In this area that also means threat of wildfires.

But if lightning were our only concern we would be feeling much more at ease. Alarmingly, the 50% of wildfires in British Columbia are caused by humans. In fact, looking at the statistics since 1998, there are several years where human-caused wildfires tipped the scale. Look at 2005, just two short years after the devastating fires around Kamloops: 60.9% of the wildfires that year were human caused.

There are occasions when fires are started intentionally, but those aren't very common. Sadly, the reason is usually that these people are careless, and are simply unaware of the consequences of their actions. The tourist I saw yesterday smoking at the far end of the little lake probably has no idea how brutally dry the grass is, and that a flick of those ashes could lead to an evacuation of our community. The ATV riders I saw coming off the logging road past the provincial park don't realize the risks of extremely hot exhaust systems. In fact, avoid parking a CAR on dry grass is on the list of ways to prevent wildfires. Do most people know that? Probably not. The only solution is education, and there are a lot of people out there that need to be educated.

photo by Sylvia Currie

How to prevent wildfires (taken from BC Ministry of Forests and Ranges website and other sources)

• Be aware of burning regulations. (Obviously right now campfires and yard burning are prohibited. There's a whole list of related precautions I'll leave out.)
• Smoke only on concrete or on naked, brushless dirt.
• Put your cigarette out on something nonflammable. Never put it out on a stump.
• Do not discard smoking materials from vehicles; use interior ashtrays.
• Never use lawn mowers and weed trimmers to clear dead grass and vegetation during the heat of the day. Just the simple spark from a mower's blade on a rock can start a wildfire.
• Lawn & farm equipment should have properly working spark arresters to prevent sparks from exiting through the exhaust pipes. While spark arrestors are not 100% effective, they GREATLY reduce the risk of starting a wildfire.
• All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) produce an enormous amount of heat and can ignite brush from their exhaust systems.
• Don't park your vehicle on dry grass.
• Don't use fireworks.
• Make sure matches are cold before they leave your hands.
• Keep several fire extinguishers in your house, and know where they are!
• Do not leave a barbeque unattended, and be prepared to deal with flames and sparks.

There are several ways to keep up-to-date on the wildfire situation in the province:

• The BC Wildfire Management Branch website has a list of all the fires, with background information and maps.
• Kamloops radio NL has news on the hour and regular updates -- 610 on the AM dial, or listen via the internet.
• The list of evacuation letters and other correspondence such as "state of emergency" notices can be found on the TNRD file server under Wildfire Information.
• BC Forest Fire Info on Facebook has regular updates. The headlines of the Facebook updates are on the LLJ blog on the right sidebar.
• You can also read shorter updates on twitter.
• Toll free number: 1‑888‑3FOREST (1‑888‑336‑7378)

After fire storm around Kamloops by pentaboxes

Open Fire Bans in Kamloops Fire Centre

Effective at noon June 1, 2010, medium and large-sized open fires will be prohibited within the Kamloops Fire Centre’s jurisdiction to help prevent human-caused wildfires and limit the impact of smoke.

Specifically it refers to:

• Waste, slash or other burning, whether piled or unpiled, larger than one metre in height and one metre in width.
• More than two piles of waste, slash or other burning, whether piled or unpiled, of any size.
• Stubble or grass burning over any area.
• Fireworks, including firecrackers.

This ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to open fires, including campfires, that are one metre by one metre or smaller.

Check the Wildfire Management Branch of the BC Ministry of Forests and Range website for full details about fire restrictions and bans.