Anyone planning to go camping this weekend or on the Canada Day holiday should remember provincial rules about campfire safety.

Although large-scale open burning is now prohibited in many regions of the province, small and contained campfires are currently permitted in all six of B.C.’s fire centres. Detailed information about burning restrictions in B.C. are available on the Wildfire Management Branch website at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp

Here’s some important information about campfire use:

• Always find out if any burning prohibitions are in effect. Check the Wildfire Management Branch website at: www.bcwildfire.ca
• If campfires are allowed in your area, bring a shovel or keep at least eight litres of water nearby to properly extinguish your campfire.
• Campfires cannot be larger than 0.5 metres in height and 0.5 metres in diameter.
• Do not light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.
• You must maintain a one-metre fireguard around the campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, kindling, etc.) have been removed.
• Never leave a campfire unattended.
• Make sure that the campfire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time. Also ensure that cigarette butts are properly extinguished and are not tossed away carelessly.
• You may be held accountable for damages and fire suppression costs if your negligence results in a wildfire.

So far this season, the Wildfire Management Branch has responded to over 300 wildfires, the vast majority of which were caused by people. Every human-caused fire is preventable.

This time of year, before wildfire risks increase significantly throughout the province, is an ideal time for individual homeowners and communities to take simple steps to reduce the potential impacts of wildfire. Be proactive, be practical and be FireSmart. More information about fire prevention and the FireSmart program can be found online at: http://bcwildfire.ca/Prevention/firesmart.htm

Quote:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

“Never leave your campfire unattended and always keep water and a hand tool nearby in case you need to put out the fire quickly. Make sure that your campfire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area for any length of time.”

Quick Facts:

• Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
• The provincial government thanks the public for its help in preventing wildfires. To report a wildfire or an unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or call *5555 on your cellphone.

Learn More:

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

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

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261

Kevin Skrepnek
Provincial Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 312-3051