As far as campfire season goes, the holiday is over.
The hot and dry conditions now blanketing the province have prompted the Prince George Fire Centre to issue a Level 1 (Campfire) ban as of Friday.
The ban covers the entire Prince George Fire Centre (basically the northeast quadrant of British Columbia) and will be in effect until Oct. 15 at noon, unless it is rescinded, and it applies to all public and private land unless otherwise specified.
As well as open fires, the ban also applies to fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description, binary exploding targets, air curtain burners, chimineas, tiki or similar kinds of torches and outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a CSA or ULC rating.
The prohibition does not apply to an outdoor stove that is a CSA-rated or ULC-rated rated for outdoor cooking, heat or ambiance, provided it burns charcoal briquettes, liquid fuel or gaseous fuel, and has a flame height less than 15 centimetres.
Anyone caught violating the fire ban is subject to a ticket and fine of $1,500. The culprit could also be liable for an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 and if convicted in court face a $100,000 fine and/or a one-year jail sentence.
If a human-caused fire contributes to a wildfire the person responsible could be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
