Effective at noon on Saturday, June 2, 2018, Category 2 open burning will be allowed throughout the Prince George Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.

Although fire danger ratings have dropped in the region due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the public is strongly encouraged to exercise caution with any outdoor burning or campfire use.

Anyone who lights a fire must ensure that it is done in a safe and responsible manner, in accordance with open burning regulations. Before lighting any fire, people should check with local government authorities to see if any local burning restrictions are in place.

The current prohibition on the use of the following fire-related equipment will also be rescinded on June 2, within the Prince George Fire Centre’s jurisdiction:

• burn barrels and burn cages
• air curtain burners
• binary exploding targets
• sky lanterns
• fireworks, including firecrackers
• stubble or grass fires over an area smaller than 2,000 square metres

A map of the Prince George Fire Centre’s boundaries is available online: http://ow.ly/UrwX30khsmr

Anyone planning to burn a pile larger than two metres high by three metres wide, or conduct a grass burn larger than 0.2 hectares (Category 3 fires), must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time, by calling 1 888 797-1717. A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online: http://ow.ly/znny309kJv5

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a 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. For more information about fire-related fines and penalties, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirefines

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 current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit http://www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

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