Open burning permitted in the Cariboo Fire Centre



WILLIAMS LAKE – Effective at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Pacific Time on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, the Category 2 and 3 open fire prohibition will be rescinded for the Cariboo Fire Centre.

Specifically, the rescindment refers to the following types of open fires:

Category 2 open fire:

  • One or two concurrently burning piles no larger than two metres high by three metres wide
  • Stubble or grass burning over an area of less than 0.2 hectares in size

Category 3 open fire:

  • Any fire larger than two metres high by three metres wide
  • Three or more concurrently burning piles each no larger than two metres high by three metres wide
  • The burning of stubble or grass over an area greater than 0.2 hectares
  • The burning of one or more windows

In addition to Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibitions being rescinded, the following equipment and activities are also now permitted:

  • Air curtain burners
  • Carbonizers
  • Binary exploding targets
  • Fireworks, as define in the Fireworks Act
  • Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description, except when used for a Category 1 campfires as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
  • Controlled air incinerators.

The rescindment of this prohibition applies to all areas in the Cariboo Fire Centre that are outside of municipal boundaries. In addition, this rescindment applies to the following types of land within municipal boundaries:

• Parks, conservancies, and recreation areas (Park Act);
• Recreation sites, recreation trails, interpretive forest sites and trail-based recreation areas (Forest and Range Practices Act);
• Ecological reserves (Ecological Reserve Act);
• Wildlife management areas (Wildlife Act); and
• Private managed forest land (Private Managed Forest Land Act).

Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must obtain a burn registration number prior to burning. Registration numbers are available by calling 1-888-797-1717 or emailing hpr.1800@gov.bc.ca.

Anyone who lights a Category 2 or 3 open fire must also comply with B.C.’s Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations and check the local venting index online or by calling 1-888-281-2992.

Before lighting a fire of any size, always check with your local government authority (municipality, First Nations, etc.) as they may have their own restrictions in place. More information on open burning is available on the BC Wildfire Service website.

More information on Category 2 open fire safety: Click here.
More information on Category 3 open fire safety: Click here.

Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from naturally caused fires. Always practice safe, responsible open fire use.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

Stay up-to-date on the latest BC Wildfire news on:

Contact
Fire Information Officer
Cariboo Fire Centre | BC Wildfire Service
778-799-2100
CaFCInfo@gov.bc.ca

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