As of noon on July 12, all campfires will be banned throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, including the Okanagan. 

BC Wildfire Service announced the increased restrictions on July 8, as the Interior grapples with high temperatures that have led to heat warnings for many communities. 

Open burning was previously banned in May, with the increased restrictions now banning campfires as well. 

As of July 12, all Category 1, 2 and 3 fires will be banned in the region, along with all fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, air curtain burners, burn barrels or burn cages of any size, tiki torches and similar items.

The bans apply to all public and private land within the fire centre. 

Outdoor stoves that use charcoal briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel with flames smaller than 15 cm are not banned.

Anyone who violates an open burning ban can be ticketed 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 it causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.