Effective at 4 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2014, Category 2 and Category 3 open burning will once again be allowed throughout the Northwest Fire Centre.

The Northwest Fire Centre covers the area from the west coast to 10 kilometres west of Endako, and from the Yukon border to the northern portion of Tweedsmuir Park. A map of the fire centre’s boundaries is available online at: http://bit.ly/1xczSoP

The following activities will be allowed throughout the Northwest Fire Centre:

• Category 2 open fires, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
• Category 3 open fires, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
• burn barrels
• sky lanterns
• fireworks, including firecrackers

The rescinding of the open burning 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. Please check with local authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.

The public is reminded to not light a fire or keep it burning in windy conditions, and to ensure that all fires are completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

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

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, go to: 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:

Olivia Pojar
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Northwest Fire Centre
250 847-6639