The BC Wildfire Service says Category 2 and 3 open fires will be prohibited across the entire Cariboo Fire Centre region, coming into effect on March 28 at noon.
This ban includes the Cariboo Chilcotin Forest District, the 100 Mile House Forest District and the Quesnel Forest District.
"The Cariboo region has experienced an unseasonably dry fall and winter resulting in high drought conditions. We urge members of the public and industry to be extra vigilant when monitoring and in ensuring the extinguishment of open burns," noted the service.
Anyone conducting a Category 2 or 3 open fire anywhere within the Cariboo region must extinguish any such fire by noon on March 28, and the prohibition will remain in place until 12:00 (noon) on Nov. 1, 2024, or until the order is rescinded.
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000, or could be sentenced to one year in jail in addition to the fine.
The following activities and use of the following equipment, materials and substances will be prohibited:
- Fireworks
- Sky lanterns
"This prohibition does not ban campfires that are half-metre high by half-metre wide or smaller. It does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes," the
You can read more on the open fire ban by clicking here.
To report a wildfire or open burn violation, call 1-800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, call 1-888 3-FOREST or visit: www.bcwildfire.ca.
