2026-05-03 – Category 2 and Category 3 Open Fire Prohibition in Effect May 3
By order of Fire Chief Mike Smith, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires and associated activities will be prohibited within the District of Clearwater effective 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Any burn permits previously issued by the District of Clearwater for Category 2 or Category 3 open burning are rescinded effective 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
This local prohibition is being enacted proactively due to rapidly changing fire conditions in Clearwater. The fire danger rating at the Clearwater Hub has reached Extreme, and the District is taking this step to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire within the community.
The District of Clearwater often aligns local fire restrictions with the Kamloops Fire Centre. However, local conditions in Clearwater have escalated more quickly than in other areas, and the District is acting now in the interest of public safety.
This prohibition will remain in effect until it is rescinded.
What is prohibited?
Effective 5:00 PM on May 3, 2026, the following are prohibited within the District of Clearwater:
- Category 2 open fires
- Category 3 open fires
- Burning of debris, brush, yard waste, leaf litter, grass, stubble, or similar material
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
- Fireworks
- Binary exploding targets
- Air curtain burners
- Controlled air incinerators
- Carbonizers
Anyone currently conducting a Category 2 or Category 3 open fire must ensure the fire is fully extinguished by 5:00 PM on May 3, 2026.
Campfires remain permitted at this time
Category 1 campfires are still permitted at this time. A Category 1 campfire, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation, is a fire that is:
- No larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide
- Used for recreational purposes, or by a First Nation for ceremonial purposes
For clarity, a campfire is not a debris fire. Burning yard waste, leaves, brush, grass, stubble, or other debris is not permitted under this prohibition.
Anyone having a campfire must keep it small, attended at all times, and fully extinguished before leaving the area. Conditions can change quickly, and additional restrictions may be implemented if the wildfire risk continues to increase.
Please refer to the attached Category 2 and Category 3 open fire posters for more information about what is included in this prohibition.
To report a wildfire or irresponsible activity that could start a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from a cell phone. For emergencies, or to report fires or unauthorized burning within the District of Clearwater, call 911.