July 7, 2026
District of Clearwater Implements Category 1 Campfire Prohibition
CLEARWATER, BC – Effective 12:00 noon on Friday, July 10, 2026, Category 1 campfires will be prohibited within the District of Clearwater to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.
This local prohibition is being implemented in alignment with the BC Wildfire Service Category 1 Campfire Prohibition for the Kamloops Fire Centre, which also takes effect at noon on July 10, 2026. BCWS has confirmed that Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre beginning at that time.
The prohibition will remain in effect until 12:00 noon on October 9, 2026, or until the order is rescinded.
What is prohibited?
As of noon on Friday, July 10, 2026, the following are prohibited within the District of Clearwater:
- Category 1 campfires
- Category 2 open fires
- Category 3 open fires
- Fireworks
- Sky lanterns
- Binary exploding targets
- Air curtain burners
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
- Chimineas
- Tiki torches and similar kinds of torches
The BC Wildfire Service bulletin also notes that carbonizers, controlled air incinerators, and wood-fired hot tubs, wood-fired pizza ovens, and other wood-fired devices are restricted unless vented through a structure with a flue and incorporated into a building.
What is a Category 1 campfire?
A Category 1 campfire is a fire that is no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide and is used for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for ceremonial purposes. Fires larger than this are considered Category 2 fires.
What is still allowed?
This prohibition does not apply to the use of outdoor stoves. Under the Wildfire Regulation, an outdoor stove is a CSA-rated or ULC-rated device used outdoors for cooking, heat, or ambiance that burns charcoal briquettes, liquid fuel, or gaseous fuel and has a flame height of less than 15 centimetres.
Penalties
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000, or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may also be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
Report a wildfire or violation
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation inside the District of Clearwater, dial 911
Local contact
For more information regarding the District of Clearwater prohibition, please contact:
District of Clearwater Fire Department
Phone: 250-674-1278
Email: firechief@docbc.ca
The District of Clearwater thanks residents and visitors for doing their part to prevent human-caused wildfires and protect our community.