The public is reminded that, despite cooler temperatures in recent days, drought-like conditions persist in many of the Southeast Fire Centre's fire zones.

An open-burning prohibition has been in effect in the Southeast Fire Centre since July 13, and will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified.

• Category 3 open fires are banned throughout the fire centre.

• Category 2 fires are banned throughout the fire centre with the exception of the Columbia Fire Zone.

Specifically, the prohibitions apply to the burning of piled material, stubble, grass and windrows.

Open burning prohibitions are implemented to help prevent human-caused wildfires and to protect public safety. Anyone found in contravention of an open-fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail.

This prohibition does not apply to campfires, fires in burning barrels, fireworks or cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. It also does not apply to resource management open fires, such as the one scheduled to occur within the next two weeks near Fir Mountain, west of Canal Flats.

Campfires must not be larger than 0.5 metres by 0.5 metres in size. Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris around the campfire area and must have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire.

This prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments. Please check with civic authorities for any other prohibitions before lighting a fire.

Report a wildfire or unattended campfire by calling *5555 on your cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, please visit www.bcwildfire.ca

Media Contact:

Karlie Shaughnessy
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch, Southeast Fire Centre
250 365-4014 (office)
250 304-8352 (cell)