Effective at noon on Sept. 5, 2014, campfires will once again be allowed throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, due to cooler weather in the forecast and fall weather patterns that have resulted in a decreased wildfire risk in the region.

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

• campfires, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
• outdoor stoves and other portable campfire apparatuses
• tiki torches
• chimineas (outdoor chimneys)

The public is reminded that campfires cannot be larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide. Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool (such as a shovel) or at least eight litres of water available to fully extinguish it. Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure that the ashes are completely cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

However, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. This includes the use of fireworks, sky lanterns and burning barrels of any size or description.

The Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions will remain in place until Sept. 30, 2014, or until the public is otherwise notified. These prohibitions cover all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but do 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 any 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 Cariboo Fire Centre covers an area of about 10.3 million hectares, stretching from Loon Lake in the south to just north of Quesnel at the Cottonwood River. From east to west, the boundaries stretch from the western edge of Wells Gray Provincial Park to the eastern boundary of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

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: www.bcwildfire.ca 

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Media Contacts:

Sandra Wagner
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Cariboo Fire Centre
250 989-2665