An absolute ban on campfires, fireworks and all open flames goes into effect at noon today, as wildfire season still continues to make its effects felt across the province. Three fires were still burning yesterday afternoon in the Kamloops Fire Centre, which covers Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton and runs to the U.S. border. Firefighters were still working to contain fires near Kamloops, Lillooet, and Keremeos. The Keremeos fire was nearly contained as of 1:30 Wednesday, according to the Fire Centre. The Kamloops fire is also nearly contained; although some residents are still on evacuation alert. Evacuation orders for the area have been rescinded. The Ministry of Forests warned residents to be particularly careful in the forest in the next few days "so resources can be allocated to naturally occurring fires." The ministry has concerns about lightning in the forecast for the next 24-48 hours. The Jade fire near Lillooet, which has been burning for a week and has burned through approximately 1,000 hectares, was caused by a lightning strike, according to the Kamloops Fire Centre. The only allowable flames under the Ministry ban are gas, propane or charcoal cookstove flames no longer than 15 centimetres. Violators of the ban can receive a $345 ticket and may be fined as much as $1 million, in addition to firefighting costs, if their actions start a fire, according to the fire centre. "We will have patrols out there," Forest Minister Pat Bell told reporters Monday. "I can‘t overemphasize the importance of people being cautious with fire." Kamloops Fire Centre danger ratings remained high to extreme across much of southern B.C. Top of Page
