After two weeks of assessment, the B.C. Wildfire Service has expanded its open fire ban for the Prince George Fire Centre.
Starting at Noon tomorrow (May 23), a ban on Category 2 fires will officially be expanded, which will continue to prohibit open burning of any material (piled or unpiled) smaller than two metres high and three metres wide, and stubble or grass fires over an area smaller than 2,000 square metres.
This also applies to all public and private land unless specified otherwise by a local government bylaw.
The first Category 2 restriction of the year came into effect on May 8 due to original dry and hot conditions.
Since then, some wildfires have sparked within the district and more weather conditions of the same sort are in the forecast, nearly getting to 30 C by the weekend.
However, this prohibition does not apply to Category 3 fires, campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, or to cooking stoves that use gas, propane, or briquettes.
Anyone lighting a campfire must set up a fireguard by removing flammable debris from around the area and must have a hand tool or eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the flames.
A fine of $1,150 could be in place for anyone who doesn’t follow the restriction.
Or worse, you could be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $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.
You can report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures, and air quality advisories, go to: www.bcwildfire.ca.
