Effective at noon Pacific Time on Oct. 10, 2014, Category 3 open fires will once again be permitted in the entire Southeast Fire Centre, due to a decreased risk of wildfires.

The Wildfire Management Branch is asking the public to remain vigilant with any fire use, including campfires. The recent stretch of unseasonably warm and dry conditions has contributed to a “moderate” fire danger rating throughout much of the region.

There have been 286 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre so far this season, 58 of which were caused by people. Homeowners and industry personnel are encouraged to take the following precautions with any outdoor burning activities:

• Ensure that enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and to prevent it from escaping.
• Do not burn in windy conditions. The weather can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.
• Create a fireguard of at least one metre around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material.
• If you are planning a large burn, consider conducting smaller burns around the perimeter beforehand to create a fuel break and to help stop the fire from spreading beyond its intended size. Each of these fires should be kept small and must be extinguished before starting a new fire.
• Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure your fire is extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area.

Anyone planning to conduct Category 3 fires or large-scale industrial burning must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time by calling 1 800 797-1717.

Venting conditions should always be checked before conducting an open burn. If conditions are rated “poor” or “fair”, open burning is restricted. The venting index can be found at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/venting.html

In British Columbia, the Wildfire Act specifies a person’s legal obligations when using open fire on or within one kilometre of forest land or grassland.

Anyone who lights, fuels or uses an open fire when a fire prohibition is in place or fails to comply with an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or 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 $100,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

The Southeast Fire Centre encompasses the area extending from the United States border in the south to Mica Dam in the north, and from the Okanagan Highlands or Monashee Mountains in the west to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east. The Southeast Fire Centre includes the Selkirk and Rocky Mountain resource districts.

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:

Jordan Turner
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Southeast Fire Centre
250 365-4014