Effective at noon Pacific Time on Friday, July 11, 2014, open fires will be prohibited in the Prince George Fire Centre, with the exception of the Fort Nelson Fire Zone, to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

This prohibition will remain in effect until Sept. 30, 2014, or until the public is otherwise notified. The prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, and it does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.

Specifically, prohibited activities include:

• The burning of any waste, slash or other materials.
• Stubble or grass fires of any size over any area.
• The use of fireworks, sky lanterns or burning barrels of any size or description.

A map of the areas affected by the prohibition is available online at: http://bcwildfire.ca/ftp/!Project/WildfireNews/792014~110047_July11ProhibitionMap.pdf

Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from around the campfire area and must have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire.

Do not light campfires or keep them burning during windy conditions. Make sure the fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

This prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department. Please check with local authorities for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.

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 be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

The Prince George Fire Centre extends from the Yukon and Northwest Territories borders in the north to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, Cottonwood River and Robson Valley in the south, and from the Alberta border in the east to the Skeena Mountains in the west.

Report a wildfire or unattended campfire by calling 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 www.bcwildfire.ca  

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Media Contacts:

Jill Kelsh
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Prince George Fire Centre
250 565-6129

Navi Saini
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre
250 312-3051