The Southeast Fire Centre has banned open fires throughout its jurisdiction, which includes all of the West Kootenay, to prevent human-caused wildfires.
The ban is in place until further notice.
It prohibits burning any waste, slash, stubble or grass, and using fireworks or burning barrels of any size or description.
It does not prohibit campfires providing they are a half-meter high by a half-meter wide or smaller, or cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.
The ban covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within municipal boundaries. Anyone violating the ban faces a ticket of $345.
Crews from the Southeast Fire Centre have responded to 16 wildfires since April 1, which together have burned 28 hectares.