Effective noon (Pacific time) Friday, Sept. 18, Category 2 open fires will be permitted within the Arrow and Kootenay Lake Fire Zones of the Southeast Fire Centre due to a decreased risk of wildfires.

Category 2 fires are fires that burn material in piles smaller than two metres high and three metres wide, or stubble or grass over an area smaller than 2,000 square metres. The use of fireworks, sky lanterns, tiki torches or burning barrels is also permitted.

Anyone who wishes to light a fire should take the following precautions:

• 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.

A map of the area is available at: http://bit.ly/1V002BA

Category 3 open fires are still prohibited within the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. Category 2 open fires remain prohibited in the Cranbrook and Boundary Fire Zones.

Anyone who lights, fuels or makes use of a Category 2 open fire must comply with the Environmental Management Act and Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. The act requires individuals to check local venting conditions prior to ignition. A burn registration number is not required for a Category 2 open fire.

The rescinding of the Category 2 open fire prohibition in the Southeast Fire Centre applies to all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments. Check with civic authorities for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.

The Southeast Fire Centre covers the area extending from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east. It includes the Selkirk Natural Resource District and the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District.

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

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website: www.bcwildfire.ca

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For information on air quality visit: http://www.bcairquality.ca/