Category 3 open fire prohibition to be rescinded in the Southeast Fire Centre



CASTLEGAR – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) Pacific Time on Thursday, October 16, 2025, Category 3 open fires will once again be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.

Due to decreased wildfire risk, the following activities will once again be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre:

  • Material concurrently in 3 or more piles, each not exceeding 2m in height and 3m in width
  • Material in one or more piles, each exceeding 2m in height or 3m in width
  • One or more windrows, none of which exceed 200m in length or 15m in width
  • Stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares
  • Air curtain burners
  • Carbonizers

Check with your local government or other jurisdictional authorities before lighting a fire of any size and abide by any bylaws or restrictions that are in place in your area.

You can find more information on prohibitions and restrictions within the Southeast Fire Centre here.

Anyone planning to conduct a Category 3 open burn must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time (at no charge) by calling 1 888 797-1717. Burn registration numbers are entered in the Open Fire Tracking System, which allows the BC Wildfire Service to track open burning activity throughout B.C.

All open burning must comply with the Wildfire Act, Environmental Management Act and Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. Anyone conducting an open burn must check local venting conditions prior to lighting a fire, understand what smoke sensitivity zone the burn site is in, and meet all other obligations associated with these regulations.

Offences and fines

Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000, or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced for up to one year in jail.

If your fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, you may be fined up to $1 million and/or sentenced to up to 3 years in jail, as well as be responsible for all firefighting and associated costs. More information about the Wildfire Act and Regulation is available online.

Report a wildfire

The Southeast Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its continuing help in preventing wildfires.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. You can also report a wildfire using the BC Wildfire App Report a fire function. Reporting through the app lets you upload images and can be used without service.

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Contact:

Fire Information Officer
Southeast Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service
250 318-7715