Campfires have been banned in the region due to high forest fire risks.

Campfires are prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, to help prevent human-cased wildfires and to protect fire safety, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

Prohibitions on larger category 2 and category 3 open fires were already in effect throughout the southeast fire centre. Spcifically, prhibited activiteis include campfires, stubble or grass fires, the use of fireworks, sky lantersn, tiki torches, chimineas, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or descrption, the use of binary exploding targets or the use of air curtain burners (forced air burning systems).

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.

Fines can cost $1,150. Violators of the ban could also be required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and / or sentaneced 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, according to the BC Wildfire Service S0uthesast Fire Centre.

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:

The Southeast Fire Centre covers the area extending from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east. It includes the Selkirk Natural Resource District and the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District.