Effective at noon on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, Category 2 open fires will once again be allowed throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, due to a decreased wildfire risk in the region.

A map of the affected areas is available online: http://ow.ly/erfb30lPhqo

However, larger Category 3 open fires will remain prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre until Sept. 29, 2018, or until the public is otherwise notified. A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online: http://ow.ly/znny309kJv5

The following activities will also be allowed throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction as of noon on Sept. 14:

• the burning of stubble or grass in an area under 0.2 hectares
• the burning of one or two piles concurrently (no larger than two metres high by three metres wide)
• the use of sky lanterns
• the use of tiki torches and chimineas
• the use of fireworks, including firecrackers
• the use of burn barrels or burning cages of any size or description
• the use of binary exploding targets (e.g. for target practice)
• the use of air curtain burners (forced-air burning systems)

Anyone wishing to conduct a Category 2 burn should first check with local authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire. Anyone who lights, fuels or uses a Category 2 open fire must comply with the Environmental Management Act and the open burning smoke control regulation. The act requires individuals to check local venting conditions prior to lighting a fire and ensure that conditions are favourable for burning. Local venting conditions can be obtained by calling 1 888 281-2992 or visiting: www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/venting.html

Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from around the campfire area. They must never leave the campfire unattended, and must have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish it. Make sure that the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

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.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call *5555 on a cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can follow the latest wildfire news:

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

Learn More:

More information about open burning (including a person’s legal obligations when conducting an open burn) is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirebans  

For more information about fire-related fines and penalties, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirefines