SMITHERS – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Saturday, September 12, 2026, Category 3 open burning will be permitted throughout the Northwest Fire Centre. This change means that there will be no open fire prohibitions in place.
Category 3 open fire refers to:
- Any fire larger than 2 metres high by 3 metres wide
- Three or more concurrently burning piles, each no larger than 2 metres high by 3 metres wide
- The burning of stubble or grass over an area greater than 0.2 hectares
- The burning of one or more windrows
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 for a Category 2 open fire.
In addition to Category 3 open fires, the following equipment and activities will once again be permitted:
- Air curtain burners
- Carbonizers
Municipalities may align with BC Wildfire Service prohibitions or impose their own prohibitions based on local conditions. 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.
It is each individuals responsibility to ensure that burning is done safely, in accordance with regulations. For more information about open burning, visit the open fire and safer burning webpage.
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.
Venting index and smoke sensitivity zone information is available by calling 1 888 281-2992 or visiting the text ventilation index or the venting index interactive map.
Report open burning violations through the RAPP Line: 1-877-952-7277
Stay in the know
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, prohibitions and restrictions, road closures, and air-quality advisories please visit BCWildfire.ca, or the following:
Contact:
BC Wildfire Service
Information Officer
Northwest Fire Centre
BCWS.NWFCInfo@gov.bc.ca
250-876-6844
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect