Effective at noon on Friday, Sept. 6, Category 2 open fires (also referred to as backyard burning or debris burning) will be permitted within the Coastal Fire Centre's jurisdiction, due to a decreased risk of wildfires.

Anyone planning to do open burning must check with civic authorities for any local restrictions before lighting a fire.

This rescinding of the Category 2 open fire prohibition means that all open burning prohibitions have now been lifted in the Coastal Fire Centre, including campfires and Category 3 open fires.

The following devices are also now allowed: burn barrels, fireworks and sky lanterns.

A Category 2 open fire is a fire that:

• burns material in one pile, not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width; or

• burns material concurrently in two piles, each not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width; or

• burns stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares.

The Sept. 6 rescinding of the Category 2 open fire prohibition applies to 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.

A Category 3 fire is a fire that:

• burns material piled more than two metres in height or three metres in width; or

• burns stubble or grass over more than 0.2 hectares; or

• burns more than two piles of any size.

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.

The Coastal Fire Centre is asking the public to remain vigilant with any type of fire use and know their obligations under the Wildfire Act and wildfire regulation.

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

The Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the area west of the height of land on the Coast Mountain Range from the U.S.-Canada border at Manning Park, including Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park in the north, the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii.

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, visit: 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 Contacts:

Marg Drysdale
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Coastal Fire Centre
250 951-4209
Marg.Drysdale@gov.bc.ca

Donna MacPherson
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Coastal Fire Centre
250 951-4209
Donna.MacPherson@gov.bc.ca