Bans on three types open burning in the Prince George Fire Centre have been lifted, the B.C. Wildfire Service said Thursday.
The bans on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires and resource-management open fires or prescribed burning had been in effect province wide since mid-April to reduce demands on firefighting resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Since the beginning of June, much of the province received significant precipitation, decreasing the risk that fires could escape and require the BC Wildfire Service to respond," the BCWS said.
Category 2 fires include one or two concurrently burning piles no larger than two metres high by three metres wide, stubble or grass burning over an area of less than 0.2 hectares in size, the use of fireworks, including firecrackers, burn barrels and burn cages, sky lanterns and exploding binary targets.
Category 3 fires include any fire larger than two metres high by three metres wide, three or more concurrently burning piles each no larger than two metres high by three metres wide, the burning of stubble or grass over an area greater than 0.2 hectares and the burning of one or more windrows
Anyone planning to conduct Category 2 open burning should always check the ventilation index, follow the open burning smoke control regulations and practice safe burning.
Create a fireguard around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material.
Have an adequate source of pressurized water on hand. Never leave a fire unattended and make sure the fire is fully extinguished with ashes cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
Anyone wishing to light a Category 3 open fire must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time by calling 1-888-797-1717. A burn registration number is not required to light a Category 2 open fire.
All Category 3 open fires must comply with the Environmental Management Act and the open burning smoke control regulations. This requires individuals to check local venting conditions prior to lighting a fire and to understand all other obligations associated with these regulations.
A poster explaining the different categories of open burning and applicable regulations is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs.
To report a wildfire or an open burning violation, call *5555 on a cell phone or 1-800-663-5555 toll-free. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit http://www.bcwildfire.ca
