Effective at 12 noon on Aug. 20, 2013, the current campfire ban in the Cariboo Fire Centre will be rescinded due to a decreased risk of wildfires. Campfires will now be permitted throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre.

The public is reminded that campfires cannot be larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide. Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool (such as a shovel) or at least eight litres of water available to fully extinguish it. Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure that the ashes are completely cold to the touch before leaving the area.

Fireworks, tiki torches and sky lanterns will also be permitted, as well as burning barrels that are smaller than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide.

All other open burning remains prohibited within the Cariboo Fire Centre. This includes:

• The burning of any material larger than a half-metre-high by a half-metre wide.

• The burning of industrial or backyard waste, slash, stubble or grass.

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

The Cariboo Fire Centre stretches from Loon Lake near Clinton, north to the Cottonwood River near Quesnel, east to Wells Gray Provincial Park and west to Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park.

The open-burning prohibition covers 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 fire departments. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.

The open-burning prohibition will remain in place until Sept. 30, 2013 or until the public is informed otherwise.

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

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website: www.bcwildfire.ca

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Media Contact:

Greig Bethel
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Cariboo Fire Centre
250 989-2665
Greig.Bethel@gov.bc.ca