(Image Credit: File Photo / CFJC Today)

By Curtis Goodrum

KAMLOOPS FIRE WARNINGS

BCWS warns Kamloopsians to be aware of fire risks heading into summer

Mar 19, 2026 | 5:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — While 2025 was the least destructive of the last three wildfire seasons British Columbia, it was still an active year as over eight-hundred-thousand hectares of land was burned, slightly above the 10 year average.

Kamloops saw a less busy wildfire season last summer as most of the activity was in the northeast, but the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is still cautious of the potential for wildfires as this summer approaches.

As the warm weather ramps up, the BCWS says campfire rules still apply and they’re urging proper fire maintenance if campfires are lit.

“It’s important for people to enjoy their camping season. Campfires right now, from a wildfire perspective, are allowed, those are half a meter by half a meter,” said Cassidy Martin, a Fire Information Officer at the Kamloops Fire Centre.

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“You need a fuel break around there. You need to have some water or a hand tool nearby and to make sure that you’re not leaving it unattended. It’s important to note that depending on the regional, district or municipality you’re within, they might have different restrictions or requirements.”

Last summer was Canada’s second-worst wildfire season on record, and while Kamloops didn’t feel the brunt of that, without a good amount of spring rain, Martin says the region could be at risk this summer.

It’s why the Kamloops Fire Centre is asking people to be ready to report any potential wildfires on the landscape.

“We encourage people to download the BC wildfire mobile app and just familiarize themselves with the app, the interactive map, and then also the ability to report a fire through the app instead of calling if they would rather do that,” Martin said.

“When you do report through the app, you can include a photo with your report, and that greatly helps our operations team and the crew members on the ground when they’re going to a fire and assessing how to deal with it.”

The wildfire services is also urging people to look into FireSmarting their properties before wildfire season kicks off, noting its a practice that is becoming more common with each passing year.

“It’s important to keep flammable objects at least ten meters away from your home. Anything like lawnmowers, gas cans, wood piles, just keeping that away,” Martin said. “It’s also a really good idea to clean out your gutters and your roof before fire season, just in case any embers fall or anything like that and there’s nothing flammable up there as well.”

More information on the fire situation in the province can be found here.