A ban on all open burning, including campfires, will come into effect in the Omineca region of the Prince George Fire Centre starting midday Thursday, the B.C. Wildfire Service said.
The region includes the Prince George, Vanderhoof, Fort St. James and Mackenzie fire districts. Only the Peace and Fort Nelson fire districts will be excluded.
"These steps are being taken due to current weather conditions and the number of fires that the B.C. Wildfire Service is responding to in the Omineca region," BCWFS said. "More lightning is in the forecast for the Prince George Fire Centre and firefighting resources must focus on existing fires and new, naturally occurring fires."
Two wildfires of note - at Chutanli Lake southwest of Prince George and at Purvis Lake east of Takla Lake - were burning in the Prince George Fire Centre as of Tuesday.
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and 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.
To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 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: http://www.bcwildfire.ca
