RDNO lifts campfire ban for electoral areas B and C, but Vernon, Enderby keep ban in place – Okanagan

Plan on lighting a campfire this Labour Day lengthy weekend? In case you’re within the North Okanagan or Shuswap, verify to see if it’s OK earlier than doing so.

On Wednesday, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) introduced that it was lifting the campfire ban for the Kamloops Fireplace Centre and that campfires could be permitted starting Friday at midday.

Within the wake of that, conflicting information got here out on Thursday, with some areas given the inexperienced mild to mild campfires, comparable to Salmon Arm, whereas others mentioned the ban was nonetheless in place.

For instance, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) introduced that, in alignment with the BCWS, it was lifting the campfire ban inside electoral areas B (Swan Lake / Commonage) and C (BX / SilverStar).

“Whereas hazard scores have fallen and wildfire dangers are low, the RDNO encourages everybody to train warning with their campfires,” mentioned the regional district.

The RDNO added that the next campfire suggestions needs to be thought-about:

• Solely burn dry, seasoned wooden.
• By no means depart your hearth unattended.
• Be conscious of smoke’s affect in your neighbours.
• Preserve water or a hand instrument close by when a campfire is lit.
• Guarantee the fireplace is fully smothered earlier than strolling away.

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Whereas residents or guests in electoral areas B and C can mild campfires this weekend, that’s not the case in Vernon and Enderby, the place campfire bans will proceed.

“The hearth hazard score throughout the Metropolis of Vernon stays excessive,” mentioned Vernon hearth Chief David Lind. “For that reason, the campfire ban will stay in place in Vernon till situations enhance, to assist stop human-caused wildfires and shield public security.”

“Whereas the Kamloops Fireplace Centre has lifted its ban on campfires, the Metropolis of Enderby and the Shuswap River Fireplace Safety District have evaluated native situations and determined to maintain an area campfire ban in place till midday on September 9, 2022,” Enderby and District hearth Chief Cliff Vetter mentioned on Thursday.

“Our space continues to expertise sizzling and dry situations. We nonetheless have a excessive hearth hazard score that could be a going concern. By Sept. 9, we expect a change in climate will scale back the dangers and be a extra appropriate time to raise the campfire ban.

“This measure will assist stop human-caused wildfires and shield public security till the situations enhance.”

Vernon’s and Enderby’s campfire bans embody fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and burn cages.

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