The City of West Kelowna is urging residents and visitors to be extremely cautious as the community and many areas of the province face an extreme fire hazard rating with no immediate end in sight.

The public is reminded that open burning, including campfires and in backyard fire pits, is not allowed anywhere within the City of West Kelowna at this time. The use of fireworks is also banned unless express permission is given from West Kelowna Fire Rescue.

Residents and visitors are asked to use extreme caution when smoking, with off-road vehicles and with any tools or machinery that may spark to avoid inadvertently starting a grass or forest fire.

Park users, particularly in forested areas like Rose Valley, Glen Canyon, Mt. Boucherie and Kalamoir, are reminded smoking is not allowed in city or regional parks.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue, like many other Okanagan fire departments, is currently providing support to the provincial forest fire fight, as well as ensuring West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation lands are protected should a fire break out.

If you see smoke or observe an illegal campfire in a forested area, call 911 immediately.