The Cariboo Fire Centre is expanding a fire ban to include category two fires as of noon on Friday.

Fire Information Officer Erin Bull says the ban is being enacted because of an increased fire danger rating.

“It prohibits the burning of any waste flash or other material, open fires larger than half a metre wide by half a metre high, stubble or grass fires of any size over any area, and the use of sky lanterns, fireworks and binary exploding targets,” she says.

The ban is being put in place because of the warmer weather, which is making things very dry in the area.

“For today and tomorrow, we’re expecting it to be quite warm with an upper ridge building,” Bull added. “On Friday, temperatures will be quite warm as well, and it will be continuing on through Saturday with some wind.”

The fines for violating the ban can range from $1,150 up to $100,000 and/or a year in jail.

“So you can still use a burning barrel. This prohibition does not ban campfires, so those can be a half metre high by a half metre wide or smaller,” Bull added. “It does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.”

The Cariboo Fire Centre banned Category 3 fires in mid-April, and both bans will stay in effect until September 27.