Category 3 open fire prohibition to be rescinded in the Southeast Fire Centre



CASTLEGAR – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PT on Friday, September 18, 2026, Category 3 open fire will once again be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.

A Category 3 open fire is a fire that burns:

  • Stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares
  • Material concurrently in 3 or more piles, each not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width
  • Material in one or more piles, each exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width
  • One or more windrows each not exceeding 200 metres in length or 15 metres in width

You can find the PDF poster for Category 3 open fire here.

The following equipment and activities will also be permitted:

  • 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.

Anyone planning to conduct a Category 3 burn must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time (at no charge) by completing the BC Wildfire Burn Registration Form or emailing HPR.1800@gov.bc.ca. 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. More information about burn registration numbers can be found here.

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.

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 a wildfire. The BC Wildfire Service urges the public to take the following precautions with any allowed outdoor burning:

  • Ensure that enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire
  • Do not burn in windy conditions. The weather can change quickly, and wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires
  • Create a fire guard around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material right down to the mineral soil
  • Never leave a fire unattended
  • Make sure that your fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area

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.

Report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation by:

  • Dialing *5555 on a cell phone
  • Calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free
  • Reporting through the BC Wildfire App Report a fire function
    • Reporting through the app lets you upload images and can be used without service

Stay up-to-date with the latest wildfire news on:

Contact:

Fire Information Team
BC Wildfire Service
Southeast Fire Centre
250 318-7715
BCWS.SEFCInfo@gov.bc.ca

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