Effective at noon on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, campfires and Category 3 open fires are once again allowed in all areas of the Northwest Fire Centre.

The northwest region received lots of rain over the weekend and fire danger ratings subsequently fell to “low” or “moderate” in most of the fire centre.

However, the Category 2 open burning prohibition that’s currently in place in parts of the Northwest Fire Centre remains in effect. A map of the affected areas can be found at http://ow.ly/13oB303tQ8B

In these areas, there is also a prohibition on the use of some fire-related equipment, including:

• fireworks, including firecrackers
• burning barrels
• sky lanterns
• air curtain burners
• exploding binary targets

To learn more about open burning categories, fire bans and fire restrictions, please visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, 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.

You can follow the latest wildfire news on:

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo 
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo