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 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 with smoking materials, off road vehicles, and any tools or machinery that may spark, to avoid inadvertently starting a grass or forest fire during this extremely sensitive time.
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, while carefully balancing the need to ensure West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation are protected should a fire break out.
If you see smoke or observe an illegal campfire in a forested area, call 9-1-1 immediately.