Open burning will once again be permitted throughout the Prince George Fire Centre starting today as cooler and wetter weather conditions put a damper on wildfires in the region.
A similar ban in place for the Northwest Fire Centre as well as a campfire ban for west of the Fraser River in the Cariboo Fire Centre will also be lifted effective at noon.
As of Thursday, the fire danger rating was moderate for most of northern B.C.
Looking at wildfires of note, evacuation alerts issued by the Bulkley-Nechako and the Cariboo regional districts for areas in the vicinity of the 133,162-hectare Chelaslie fire southwest of Prince George remained in effect.
The largest wildfire burning in the province, it was 65-per-cent contained as of midday Thursday.
"Crews have made good progress consolidating guard lines on the southern boundary of the fire," the wildfire management branch said in a posting. "Crews and heavy equipment continue to mop up and patrol established guard lines."
A total of 132 firefighters, three helicopters and five pieces of heavy equipment have been working the blaze, seven kilometres south of the Chelaslie River.
The Stack Creek wildfire, covering 1,625 hectares just south of Powder King in the Pine Pass was 65 per cent contained with 58 firefighter and two helicopters assigned to that fire, which remains about eight kilometres south of the ski village.
"The fire took some amounts of rain and fire activity has decreased," the branch said.
With the 19,923-hectare Euchiniko Lakes fire 70-per-cent contained, Kluskoil Lake Provincial Park has been reopened except for the Nuxalk-Carrier (Alexander Mackenzie) Grease Trail west of kilometre 108.
Likewise, Titetown Provincial Park has been reopened, the evacuation alert for the Kluskus Indian Reserve has been lifted and the 4000 road is now open.
The 3,450-hectare China Nose wildfire 15-kilometres south of Houston is no long considered a wildfire of note and stood at 75-per-cent contained this week. As well, an evacuation alert for the area has been lifted.
Clearing and burning activities at this time of year can help reduce interface wildfire risks, "but any open burning must be done safely," the branch said and offered the following precautions:
- Ensure that enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and prevent it from escaping.
- Do not burn during windy conditions. Weather conditions can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.
- Create a fireguard at least one metre around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Make sure that your fire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area for any length of time.
- People planning to conduct an open burn should also check with their local fire department, municipality and regional district to see if they have any open burning restrictions or bylaws in place.
For more information, visit www.bcwildfire.ca/Prevention.
