B.C. Wildfire Service staff have been called out to 28 human-caused fires in the Prince George Fire Centre area since April 1, despite a province-wide open burning ban.
A provincial open burning ban was put in place on April 16 to protect the health and safety of Wildfire Service staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The burning ban doesn't apply to campfires, but to larger Category 2 and Category 3 fires, as well as resource management fires and the use of fireworks, sky lanterns and burn barrels or burn cages.
An open burning ban has been in place around Prince George since March 30, as part of a province-wide ban on open burning in vulnerable airsheds.
"Unfortunately, since the prohibition we have still seen a number of human caused wildfires, as many people are still unaware of these current prohibitions," Prince George Fire Centre spokesperson Rachelle Winsor said in an email. "Over this past weekend alone, staff responded to eight different incidents throughout the PGFC."
Wildfire Services staff have responded to 58 incidents throughout the Prince George Fire Centre since April 1. The fire centre includes the Prince George area and stretches east to the Alberta border, west to the Vanderhoof/Fort St. James area, and north to the Yukon border.
In the immediate Prince George area, wildfire firefighters have been called to 15 incidents including nine human-caused fires. Seven human-caused fires were reported in the Vanderhoof/Fort St. James area, seven more in the Fort St. John area, four near Dawson Creek and one in the Robson Valley.
There have been 22 wildfires throughout the region since April 1, burning a total of 161 hectares.
"It is important we remind the public of these prohibitions in order to reduce human caused wildfires to ensure a full response capability at the height of wildfire season," Winsor said. "At this time there will be no further restrictions (campfires are still allowed), however that can always change as we approach the May long weekend. We strongly encourage the public to double check prior to lighting any fire."
People found guilty of burning outside of compliance face a minimum fine of $1,150.
To check what burning is allowed in your area, call 250-356-5787 or go online to http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp.
WILDFIRE APP
The B.C. Wildfire Service has launched an official mobile app that provides real-time wildfire information, a fire reporting function and a customizable interactive map.
The features include a "near me" function that uses the phone's location to provide information on what's happening in a 50 km radius.
Information available through the app includes current fires, road and park closures, fire danger ratings, burning bans, evacuation alerts, a wildfire search tool, current statistics on the wildfire season and more.
The free app is available for download now for Apple (iOS) and Android devices through the App Store and Google Play.
