Current weather conditions make it safer for private landowners, Wildfire Management Branch personnel and industry partners to reduce wildfire risks by burning piles of wood debris.

Many burn registration numbers have been issued in the Kamloops Fire Centre in recent weeks. This means that these burning projects may occur until open fire restrictions come into effect again next spring.

Although residents next to burning operations may see and smell smoke, burning is permitted only on days when the venting index indicates there is good ventilation and the smoke will disperse quickly.

Anyone conducting an open burn must comply with the Ministry of Environment’s Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation and they must first check the venting index at: www.bcairquality.ca

Anyone wishing to light a Category 3 open fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1 888 797-1717.

Category 3 fires are fires that:

• burn material piled more than two metres in height or three metres in width; or
• burn stubble or grass over more than 0.2 hectares; or
• burn more than two piles of any size; or
• burn one or more windrows.

Burn registration numbers are used to identify active and compliant burn operations so Wildfire Management Branch officials do not unnecessarily investigate smoke being reported by the public as a possible wildfire.

These burning regulations apply to all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but do not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments.

Information on 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 Kamloops Fire Centre stretches from the northern border of Wells Gray Park near Blue River to the U.S. border in the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Gold Bridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby.

Media Contacts:

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