Wildfire crews in the Prince George Fire Centre were called out to seven fires over 24 hours by mid-afternoon Tuesday, according to the province's wildfire management branch.
Two were in the Vanderhoof-Fort St. James area and the rest were up around Fort St. John, but information officer Jillian Kelsh said they should serve as a warning to Prince George residents as the weather warms up, particularly because several were grass fires.
"Even in the Prince George area, we are starting to see that dry grass and the wind," Kelsh said. "Even right now, we're starting to do the escaped backyard burning and things like that."
For those planning to use fire to clean up their properties, precautions include:
- Ensuring enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and prevent it from escaping.
- Not burn during windy conditions. Weather conditions can change
quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material and
start new fires.
- Creating a fireguard at least one metre around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material.
- Never leaving a fire unattended.
- Making sure the fire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area.
Also, check with Prince George Fire Rescue or the Fraser-Fort George Regional District to see if
any open burning restrictions or bylaws are in effect.
And a burn registration number is needed for any large-scale industrial burning or grass burns over 0.2 hectares by calling 1 888 797-1717.
Always check the venting conditions before conducting an open burn. The
venting index can be found online at: http://www.bcairquality.ca/readings/ventilation-index.html
