Category 3 open burning prohibition to be rescinded in the Southeast



CASTLEGAR – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, Category 3 open burning will once again be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.

Local governments may still have open fire restrictions in place, anyone burning should check with their local authority before lighting a fire of any size.

Category 3 open burning:

Anyone planning to conduct a Category 3 burn must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time (at no charge) by calling 1 888 797-1717. Burn registration numbers are entered into 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.

More information can be found below:

Although recent weather patterns have reduced the wildfire risk in the region, members of the public are urged to undertake any open burning responsibly to reduce the likelihood of starting an unintended fire.

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 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.

The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north, and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west, to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: bcwildfire.ca, the BC Wildfire Map or download our app.

Follow the latest wildfire news on:

Contact:

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

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect.