Current weather conditions make it safer for private landowners, Wildfire Management Branch personnel and industry partners to reduce wildfire risks by burning piles of wood debris.

Over 1,690 burn registration numbers have been issued in the Kamloops Fire Centre in recent weeks. This means that these burning projects may occur until open fire restrictions come into effect again next spring.

Although residents adjacent to burning operations may see and smell smoke, burning is permitted only on days when the venting index indicates there is good ventilation and the smoke will disperse quickly.

Anyone conducting an open burn must comply with the Ministry of Environment's Waste Management Act and open burning smoke control regulation and they must first check the venting index at: www.bcairquality.ca

Anyone wishing to light a Category 3 open fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1 888 797-1717.

Category 3 fires are fires that:

• burn material piled more than two metres in height or three metres in width; or
• burn stubble or grass over more than 0.2 hectares; or
• burn more than two piles of any size; or
• burn one or more windrows.

When a member of the public reports seeing smoke, burn registration numbers are used to identify active and compliant burn operations so Wildfire Management Branch officials do not unnecessarily investigate the smoke report as a possible wildfire.

These burning regulations apply to all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but do not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments.

Information on open burning, burn categories and current fire prohibitions is available on the Wildfire Management Branch's website at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp

Media Contact:

Kayla Pepper
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5530