In light of current conditions and the lack of precipitation over the winter months, fire officials with the District of West Kelowna have decided to suspend all open burning within the District of West Kelowna effective March 19, 2010.

No further permits will be issued from the Fire Department and all current permits will become void as of the effective date.

Open burning will again commence in the fall of 2010.

The decision to suspend open burning comes just 24 hours after two fire fighters were forced to deal with two small brush fires in the municipality.

It is believed both were the result of legal burning efforts that got away due to the high winds.

At the time, assistant fire chief Kerry Klonteig indicated it may be time to re-visit the idea of opening burning due to the dry conditions prevalent in local forests.

For further information on open burning, please contact West Kelowna Fire Rescue at (250) 769-1640 extension 4.

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