Campfire Update – District of Clearwater 08-24-2025
Effective at 12:00 noon Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Sept. 29, Category 1 campfires will be permitted throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, and within the District of Clearwater. Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, and within the District of Clearwater. As the campfire prohibition is being lifted, we ask the public to remain vigilant and follow all regulations when enjoying campfires.
What’s Allowed?
- Category 1 Campfires (no larger than 0.5 m x 0.5 m)
- For recreational use or ceremonial purposes by First Nations
- Sky lanterns
- Wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens and other wood fired devices, including those vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building
The following activities remain prohibited:
- Category 2 & 3 open fires
- Air curtain burners
- Carbonizers
- Binary exploding targets
- Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description, except when used for a Category 1 campfire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
- Controlled air incinerators
The rescind of this prohibition applies to all areas in the Fire Centre that are outside of municipal boundaries. In addition, this rescindment applies to the following types of land within municipal boundaries:
- parks, conservancies and recreation areas (Park Act);
- recreation sites, recreation trails, interpretive forest sites and trail-based recreation areas (Forest and Range Practices Act);
- ecological reserves (Ecological Reserve Act);
- wildlife management areas (Wildlife Act); and
- private managed forest land (Private Managed Forest Land Act).
Penalties for Violations
Those found in contravention of open burning prohibitions may face:
- $1,150 fine
- Up to $10,000 administrative penalty
- Up to $100,000 fine and/or 1 year in jail if convicted
- Responsibility for wildfire suppression costs if their contravention causes a fire
Report Wildfires & Get Updates
- Report wildfires/unattended campfires: 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 (cell)
- Info line: 1-888-3-FOREST
- Website: bcwildfire.ca
- BC Wildfire Service App: iOS & Android
- Follow: BCGovFireInfo on Facebook