Update:
Effective at noon Friday, July 3, all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, will be banned throughout the province of B.C.
Deputy Fire Chief Rob Warnock said the city follows the province in fire bans.
"People can only use propane fire pits," Warnock said.
Original story:
Drier than normal conditions and elevated fire danger ratings have resulted in an open fire ban in the Cariboo.
As the ban went into effect Thursday, communication specialist Emily Epp said the downpours on Monday and Tuesday helped lower the fire danger rating, however, with the longterm forecast of warmer conditions, it is anticipated the danger ratings will climb again.
“I think a campfire ban will be coming soon, it might even be this weekend,” Epp said.
As of Monday, lightning sparked eight wildfires in the region.
Four are out, two are in patrol and two small fires, 10 by 10 metres, are still active — one north east of Alkali Lake and one just south of Farwell Canyon.
The open fire ban remains in place until Sept. 30, 2015 unless the public is otherwise notified.
To report a wildfire or an open burning violation call 1-800- 663-5555 or *55555 on a cell phone.