Effective at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, all campfires and most open fires will be permitted across the Northwest Fire Centre's jurisdiction.

A map of the fire centre is available here: http://bit.ly/1cLrCRo

An open fire prohibition order remains in effect along the route of the Northwest Transmission Line. Specifically, this order prohibits the lighting, fuelling or use of the following types of open fires:

• Category 2 open fire as defined in the wildfire regulation.
• Category 3 open fire as defined in the wildfire regulation
• Any resource management open fires as defined in the wildfire regulation.

Campfires must not be larger than a half-metre wide by a half-metre tall. Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool, such as a shovel, or at least eight litres of water nearby to fully extinguish the campfire. Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure the ashes are completely cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling

1 888 797-1717 and must comply with air quality control legislation. A Category 3 fire is a fire that burns:

• Material piled more than two metres in height or three metres in width; or
• Stubble or grass over more than 2,000 square metres; or
• More than two piles of any size.

A person who lights a fire must have sufficient personnel, water and tools on hand to stop the fire from escaping.

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.

The Northwest Fire Centre covers the area from the West Coast to 10 kilometres west of Endako, and from the Yukon border to the northern portion of Tweedsmuir Park.

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

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news on -

Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media Contact:
Suzanne Pearce
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Northwest Fire Centre
250 847-6639