File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
By James Peters
Wildfire Situation

Ban on Category 2 and 3 burning begins Thursday throughout Kamloops Fire Centre

May 5, 2026 | 12:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) officials in the Kamloops Fire Centre are taking after their colleagues in the Cariboo, enacting a Category 2 and 3 burn prohibition.


A news release notes the prohibition will come into force Thursday (May 7) at 12:00 noon.

BCWS officials say the ban is coming into place in order “to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.” A similar ban has already been enacted in the districts of Barriere and Clearwater.

Category 2 and 3 fires typically refer to the burning of yard waste piles and woody material, with fire sizes smaller than two metres high by three meters wide.

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The prohibition will also cover air curtain burners, carbonizers, binary exploding targets, fireworks and burn barrels.

Category 1 campfires are still allowed, subject to municipal rules.

The ban on Category 2 and 3 fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre is expected to remain in place through the summer and lifted on October 19.

The Cariboo Fire Centre enacted its own Category 2 and 3 burn prohibition on April 23.

More information is available here.

by James Peters

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