An open fire prohibition has gone into effect across southeastern B.C., including the Revelstoke area.
The prohibition bans all open fires except for campfires that are at most 0.5-metres wide and 0.5-metres high. It does not apply to gas cooking stoves.
The prohibition is in effect until September 20 or until the public is otherwise notified.
The prohibition specifically includes the burning of any waster, slash or other materials; grass fires of any size; and the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, and burning barrels of any size of description.
Campfires must contain a fireguard and must be extinguished before leaving the area.
Anyone found in contravention of the ban can be issued a ticket for $345, or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and sentence to one year in jail. If a fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the penalty is a fine of up to $10,000, and the guilty party could be forced to pay all firefighting and association costs.
Crews from the Southeast Fire Centre have responded to 27 wildfires since April 1 (22 caused by humans and five caused by lightning), which have burned a total of 168 hectares.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For more information visit www.bcwildfire.ca.