Extreme Conditions Call for Extreme Caution

With extreme fire danger conditions affecting the region, the City of Kamloops is urging residents to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant to help prevent and quickly identify wildfires within and around our community.

Fire risk remains exceptionally high due to prolonged hot, dry weather. Residents are reminded that a single spark can have devastating consequences for people, property, and natural areas.

If you see smoke or fire, report it immediately—dial 911. Outside of city limits, call 911 or *5555 from a cell phone. When reporting, the following information is key to first responders:

• location and size (the size of a campfire, a car, a house, a football field, etc.)
• colour, density, and volume of smoke (white, gray, brown, black, etc.)
• wind speed and direction (which way the smoke is blowing)
•  type of vegetation and spacing (in trees, grass, etc.)
•  terrain (steep, flat, etc.)
•  valuables at risk (near homes, structures, etc.)
•  access (near a main road or on a trail, street names, etc.)
•  resources currently in use (someone already fighting the fire and with what)

Residents are encouraged to register for Voyent Alert!, the City’s emergency notification system. Learn more at Kamloops.ca/Alerts.

Residents are reminded that smoking is always prohibited in all City parks and walking trails. Given the extremely dry conditions, the City urges residents to be extremely cautious with cigarettes in all areas of the city and only use designated containers to dispose of cigarettes.

The public can play an important role in fire prevention by remaining alert, reporting fires immediately, and keeping vehicles and motorized off-road vehicles away from dry grass and vegetation that could ignite from hot exhaust systems or sparks.

“Our nature park areas remain open for pedestrian and cycling use, and we encourage residents to continue enjoying these spaces responsibly,” said Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc. “Having people on our trails and in our nature parks means more eyes on the landscape and more opportunities to spot smoke, fire starts, or unsafe activities early. We are asking everyone to be vigilant, report concerns immediately, and do their part to reduce the risk of wildfire in our community.”

While the city’s nature parks remain open, residents are encouraged to stay on designated trails, respect the BC Wildfire campfire ban and backcountry off-road vehicle closures.

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