A ban on campfires in the Vanderhoof Forest District will be lifted at noon today.
"The combination of a return to more seasonal weather conditions and recent precipitation in the area has reduced the risk of wildfire in the area," the B.C. Wildfire Service said.
However, any fires larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide remain prohibited.
Also remaining prohibited are the use of sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, air curtain burners, fireworks, including firecrackers and burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description.
These prohibitions cover all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but do not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department.
"Always check with local authorities to see if any other burning restrictions are in place before lighting any fire," BCWS said.
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.
If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
Also on Thursday, a restricted access order was lifted for areas south of Vanderhoof.
They include all roads accessed by the Kluskus Lavoie Forest Service Road (Gold Road) beyond the 13-kilometre mark; all roads accessed by the Kluskus Forest Service Road beyond the 77-kilometre mark; and all roads accessed by the Kluskus 500 Road beyond the 28-kilometre mark (528 sign) just west of the Kenny Dam.
