Effective Monday, April 2, 2012, at 12 noon, the size of open fires will be restricted within the Cariboo Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.

Specifically, this will prohibit:

• The burning of any waste, slash or other materials (piled or unpiled) at a size larger than one metre by one metre.
• The burning of more than two open fires of any size at the same time.
• Stubble or grass fires of any size over any area.

The prohibition will remain in effect until Sept. 30, 2012, or until further notice.

This prohibition covers all B.C. parks, Crown lands and private lands, but it does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department. Before lighting any fire, residents should check with local civic authorities regarding any current prohibitions.

Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345, or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

The Cariboo Fire Centre covers an area of about 10.3 million hectares, stretching as far south as Loon Lake to just north of Quesnel at the Cottonwood River. From east to west, the boundaries stretch from the western edge of Wells Gray Provincial Park to the eastern boundary of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, please call *5555 on your cellphone or call toll-free to 1 800 663-5555.

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website: 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

Media Contact:

Jenny Fremlin
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Cariboo Fire Centre
250 989-2665
jenny.fremlin@gov.bc.ca