Going into the weekend, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson is reminding the public to be safe with their outside burning activities.

Over the past week the Prince George Fire Centre has responded to seven new forest fires all caused by human activity. Six of these fires have been extinguished and the seventh is being patrolled to ensure it does not flare up again. All fires were human caused, therefore all were preventable.

Escaped grass fires are the most common form of unnecessary, human-caused fires at this time of year. This season, the Province has responded to 60 person-caused fires, which have burned more than 145 hectares of forests and grassland. These fires can be easily prevented if proper burning precautions are followed.

A burn registration number is required for all burns exceeding 0.2 hectares (more than 2,000 square metres) as well as for piles two metres in height by three metres in width. This number can be attained free of charge by calling 1 888 797-1717.

For further details on safe backyard burning, go to: http://bcwildfire.ca/Restrictions/BackyardBurning.pdf

In British Columbia, the Wildfire Act specifies a person's legal obligations when using fire on, or within one kilometre of, forest land or grassland. If a grass fire does escape, a person may be responsible for fire suppression costs.

The Prince George Fire Centre extends from the Yukon and Northwest Territories in the North to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, Cottonwood River and Robson Valley in the South; and from the Alberta border in the East to the Skeena Mountains in the West.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on most cellular networks or 1 800 663-5555.

For more information on open fire restrictions or for updates on current wildfire activity, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news -

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo

On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Contact:

Jillian Chimko

Fire Information Officer

Prince George Fire Centre

250 565-6129 (cell)

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect