SMITHERS – Effective at 2:00 pm, Pacific Daylight Time on Tuesday August 30th, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) will be rescinding the Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibition for the Northwest Fire Centre (NWFC) that took effect at the end of July.
Cooler temperatures and recent precipitation have greatly reduced the wildfire risk allowing for all open fires to resume throughout the Northwest Fire Centre.
The public is strongly encouraged to exercise caution with any outdoor burning and campfire use. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner in accordance with regulations. Before lighting any fire, check with local government authorities to see if any local burning restrictions are in place.
Category 2 open fires
Category 2 open fires are now permitted throughout the NWFC.
Category 2 fires include:
- material in 1 or 2 piles not exceeding 2-metres in height and 3-metres in width, or
- stubble or grass burning over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares.
Reminders about Category 2 open fire:
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.
Category 3 open fires
Category 3 open fires are now permitted throughout the NWFC.
Category 3 fires include:
- any fire larger than 2-metres high by 3-metres wide,
- 3 or more concurrently burning piles no larger than 2-metres high by 3-metres wide,
- 1 or more burning windrows, or
- stubble or grass burning over an area greater than 0.2 hectares.
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.
Reminders about Category 3 open burning:
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, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll- free or *5555 on a cellphone. For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity download the BC Wildfire Service app or visit www.bcwildfire.ca.
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- on Twitter: twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
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Contact:
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Northwest Fire Centre
BCWS.NWFCInformationOfficer@gov.bc.ca
250 876-6844