Effective at noon on Oct. 7, 2014, Category 3 open fires will once again be allowed in the Cariboo Fire Centre east of the Fraser River. However, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited west of the Fraser River.

East of the Fraser River, the public is now permitted to:

• burn piles of woody debris
• burn stubble or grass
• use fireworks, sky lanterns or burning barrels

West of the Fraser River, all open fires larger than a campfire (no larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide) are still prohibited. This prohibition also includes the use of fireworks, sky lanterns and burning barrels.

A map of the affected areas is available online at: http://bit.ly/1ph2ioF

Anyone planning to light a Category 2 or Category 3 open fire east of the Fraser River must have sufficient personnel, water and tools on hand to prevent the fire from escaping, and must comply with air quality control legislation.

Anyone lighting a Category 3 open fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1 888 797-1717. A Category 3 open fire is a fire that burns material in piles larger than two metres high and three metres wide, or that burns stubble or grass over an area larger than 0.2 hectares.

Always check local venting conditions prior to igniting any open fire. For more information about the Ministry of Environment’s Venting Index, visit http://www.bcairquality.ca/readings/ventilation-index.html or call 1 888 281-2992. More information about 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

The rescinding of the Category 3 open burning prohibition in the Cariboo Fire Centre east of the Fraser River applies to all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department. Please check with local authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.

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:

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