Campfires, and all burning, is still prohibited in the Town of Princeton.
While BC Wildfire lifted campfire restrictions in the Kamloops Fire Centre effective Friday, Sept. 10 at noon, Princeton fire chief Rob Banks has ordered the ban will remain in place here for at least another week.
That authority is guaranteed under the town’s fire bylaw.
A notice from the town also reminds residents the municipality is under Level 3 drought conditions and states that could possibly move to Level 4.
Under Level 3 drought conditions, as a water license holder, the Town of Princeton is required to reduce water consumption by 30 per cent.
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is following the province’s lead with removing the campfire bans within its jurisdictions.
While campfires will be allowed, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited, which includes the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and burn cages. These restrictions will remain in place until October 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.
Related: Campfire ban lifted in Okanagan
Reminders about campfire from BC Wildfire include:
• A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide;
• Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material;
• Maintain a fireguard around your campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil;
• Never leave a fire unattended;
• Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
Other activities which were previously banned, but will now be permitted include:
• The use of tiki and similar kinds of torches;
• The use of chimineas;
• The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating.
Related: Campfire ban continues for Central Okanagan
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com
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