Effective at 12 noon on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, all open fires will be permitted in the Southeast Fire Centre's jurisdiction due to a decreased risk of wildfires.

Category 3 fires are now permitted, which burn material larger than two metres in height or three metres in width, stubble or grass over more than 2,000 square metres, or more than two piles of any size.

The rescinding of this prohibition applies to all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with civic authorities for any restrictions before lighting a fire.

Anyone considering Category 2 or 3 fires must comply with the Ministry of Environment's Waste Management Act and Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. For more information, go to: www.bcairquality.ca

Category 3 fires require a burn registration number, which may be obtained by calling

1 888 797-1717. Individuals who fail to meet these requirements may be subject to fines.

Please follow these tips on using fire safely:

• Keep fire sites away from buildings, trees and other combustible materials.
• Do not burn during windy conditions.
• Have adequate people, water and hand tools available to prevent the fire from escaping.
• Have an adequate fuel break around burn piles.
• Never leave a fire unattended.

The onus is on each individual to ensure safe, responsible burning. Those found to have been responsible for an escaped fire may be liable for fire suppression costs and damages.

The Southeast Fire Centre encompasses the area extending from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north and from the Okanagan Highlands/Monashee Mountains in the west to the B.C./Alberta border in the east. This includes the Selkirk and Rocky Mountain resource districts.

Report a wildfire or unattended campfire by calling *5555 on your cellphone or toll-free to

1 800 663-5555.

You can also follow the latest wildfire news -

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

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

Media Contact:

Lindsay Carnes
Fire Information Officer
250 554-5532 (office)
250 318-6959 (cell)