Residents and visitors in the Kamloops-area will be allowed campfires this Labour Day weekend and beyond.

The BC Wildfire Service says a ban on campfires across the Kamloops Fire Centre, which was put in place on Aug. 1, will be lifted at noon this Friday, Sept. 2.

“While the Kamloops Fire Centre is seeing shorter days, increased overnight recoveries and relative humidy the public is encouraged to exercise caution with any campfire use,” the BCWS said, in a statement. “It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner.”

“Before lighting a campfire, the public is encouraged to check with local government authorities to ensure there are no burning restrictions in place. Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused wildfires.”

As of Aug. 30, there have been 360 fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre – which runs from Blue River in the north to the U.S. border in the south, and from Bridge River in the west to the Monashee Mountains in the east. Those fires have charred 143 square kilometres of land, with the 70 square kilometre Keremeos Creek fire accounting for about half of that.

The latest data shows 29 active wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre, as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Existing bans on larger fires as well as the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels, burn cages, and binary exploding targets will remain in place. Those restrictions are currently not set to be lifted until Oct. 15 – after the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Violators could be issued a ticket for $1,150, and be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000. If convicted in court, people could be also be fined up to $100,000, and/or spend up to one year in jail.

People who are found to be responsible for a fire may also be required to pay all firefighting and other related costs.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

For the latest on fire bans and restrictions, go here.