Effective noon Friday, all open fires have been officially banned in all areas of the Kamloops Fire Zone, with the exception of the Clearwater Fire Zone.

The ban is being administered by the Kamloops Fire Centre and, according to a press release issued Thursday, is being taken to “prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.”

This ban applies to an open fire of any size, fires with a burn registration number, industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches and/or burning barrels.

The ban 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 – as long as the height of the frame is less than 15cm.”

The fine for breaking this ban is $345.  Also, anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or simple recklessness “may be fined up to $1 million, spend three years in prison and/or be held accountable for the associated firefighting costs.”

The ban will remain in place until the public has been notified otherwise.

To view a map of the affected region, click here.