PRINCE GEORGE – Effective at 12:00 (noon) on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, a partial rescind of the Category 1 Open Burning (campfires) prohibition issued on May 19, 2023 will be implemented in the Prince George Fire Centre. Under this new order, campfires (Category 1 open burning) remain prohibited in the Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson fire zones but are permitted in all other zones across the centre.
This prohibition will remain in effect until 12:00 (noon) on Sunday, October 15, 2023 or until it is rescinded. Prohibitions apply to all public and private lands unless otherwise specified (e.g. in an enactment or local government bylaw). A map outlining the prohibition areas is below.
Category 2 and 3 open burning prohibitions remain in place throughout the Prince George Fire Centre.
During campfire prohibitions, only CSA-rated or ULC-rated outdoor stoves or portable campfire apparatuses that use gas, propane or briquettes may be used; however, when conditions warrant, the use of portable campfire apparatus or outdoor stoves may be further restricted or prohibited.
In addition to the above noted open fire prohibitions, the following activities remain prohibited:
Prohibition Area A
(Mackenzie Forest District, Stuart Nechako Forest District, Prince George Forest District; Prince George, Vanjam, Robson Valley and Mackenzie fire zones)
- Fireworks
- Sky lanterns
- Air curtain burners
- Binary exploding targets
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
Prohibition Area B
(Fort Nelson Forest District, Peace Forest District; Fort Nelson, Forst St.John and Dawson Creek fire zones)
ALL activities listed in the Prohibition Area A, plus the following:
- Chimineas
- Tiki and similar kinds of torches
- Outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a CSA- or ULC- rating
Please check the BC Wildfire Service Bans and Restrictions webpage for the most current prohibitions for your area.
Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused wildfires.
Multiple factors are taken into consideration when assessing wildfire hazards and deciding whether to implement an open fire prohibition, including: current and forecasted weather conditions; the availability of firefighting resources; and the Buildup Index (BUI).
The BUI rating is an estimate of the total amount of fuel available for combustion on the landscape. It takes into account the fuel’s moisture content, since that can affect fire intensity.
Campfire prohibitions are implemented based on the particular region’s BUI values. The BUI allows the province’s six fire centres to follow a consistent and scientific process for evaluating the need for campfire prohibitions.
Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may issue a violation ticket for $1,150, may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 an/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.
For updates on the current wildfire situation, including full incident details for Wildfires of Note, please visit BCWildfire.ca.
You can follow the latest BC Wildfire news on:
- Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
- Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo
- The free BCWS mobile app, available to download for Apple and Android devices.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, please call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free, *5555 on a cell phone or directly through the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.
Contact:
Prince George Fire Centre Information Team
BC Wildfire Service | Ministry of Forests
250-561-4629
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect