Effective at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires will once again be allowed within the Northwest Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, with the exception of the Nadina Fire Zone.

The following activities will be allowed in the Bulkley Fire Zone, Skeena Fire Zone and Cassiar Fire Zone:

• the burning of waste or other materials in piles.
• the burning of stubble or grass.
• the use of fireworks and firecrackers.

All of these activities will continue to be prohibited in the Nadina Fire Zone until Sept. 30, 2015, or until the public is otherwise notified.

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

To learn more about the differences between campfires, Category 2 open fires and Category 3 open fires, please visit: http://bit.ly/1GlhE9l

The rescinding of these prohibitions applies to all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does 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.

The fire danger rating in the Northwest Fire Centre currently ranges from “very low” to “extreme”. In areas with a “high” or “extreme” fire danger rating, there is a serious wildfire risk.

The public is reminded to not light a fire during 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 site and have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, 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 ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on wildfire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the BC Wildfire Service website at: www.bcwildfire.ca or call 1 888 3FOREST.

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