PRINCE GEORGE – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, Category 2 and Category 3 open burning and other associated activities will be permitted in the Mackenzie, Prince George and Stuart Nechako Forest Districts (Mackenzie, Prince George, Robson Valley and VanJam fire zones).
A Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibition remains in effect in the Fort Nelson and Peace Forest Districts (Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John fire zones). This prohibition will remain in effect until 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, or until the Order is rescinded.
The following activities and use of the following equipment, materials and substances will also be prohibited in the Fort Nelson and Peace Forest Districts (Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John fire zones):
- Fireworks
- Sky Lanterns
- Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
- Binary Exploding Targets
The Order applies to the following geographic boundaries as illustrated and is specific to all public and private land unless otherwise specified in an enactment:
- the Peace Forest District
- the Fort Nelson Forest District
A map of the area in the Prince George Fire Centre remaining under Category 2 and 3 prohibitions is available online and below.
Please ensure you are aware of the forest district you reside within and the open fire bans and restrictions that exist within that area. These prohibitions remains in place to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety due to the high grass fire hazard and persistent drought conditions in the northeast of the province.
A reminder that anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1-888-797-1717 or emailing hpr.1800@gov.bc.ca. Ensure you are engaging in safe open burning practices only when and where permitted and that you are properly prepared and aware of the conditions.
For details on current fire bans and prohibitions in the Prince George Fire Centre, visit the bans and restrictions webpage and check with your local authorities before lighting a fire of any size or description.
Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 an/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.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone or through the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.
The Prince George Fire Centre thanks the public for their continued support in preventing wildfires.
Follow the latest wildfire news on:
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- BC Wildfire App: available for Apple and Android
Contact:
Fire Information Officer
Prince George Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service
250-561-4629
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect.