SMITHERS – With warmer weather in the forecast, we expect patches of snow free ground throughout the Northwest Fire Centre, and ask anyone conducting Category 2 or Category 3 open burning to use caution.

There are currently no open burning prohibitions in effect for the Northwest Fire Centre, however anyone lighting a fire should take extra care. In early spring there is a period of increased wildfire risk, shortly after the snow has melted but before vegetation begins to turn green, when dead grass, leaves and deadfall branches are more susceptible to burning. Trees, especially conifers, also have a low moisture content, which makes them especially vulnerable in early spring.

We also urge anyone who conducted a Category 2 or Category 3 pile burn over the winter to check on their burn sites and ensure they are fully extinguished. There is potential for burn piles to burn deep and smoulder underground throughout the winter, until warm weather and snow free conditions allow them to become active again.

A Category 2 open burn is a fire that burns:

• Material in one pile not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width
• Material concurrently in 2 piles, each not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width
• Stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres)

A Category 3 open fire is a fire that burns:

• 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 or 3 metres in width
• One or more windrows, not exceeding 200 metres in length or 15 metres in width
• Stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres)

If you intend to light a Category 3 fire, you must obtain a burn registration number beforehand. You can find detailed instructions on how to register for a burn number on the burn registration webpage.

It is the responsibility of each individual to stay informed about the current prohibitions in place in the Northwest Fire Centre and to ensure that burning is done safely, in accordance with regulations. Get more information about open burning on the open fire and safer burning webpage.

Before lighting a fire of any size, monitor the upcoming weather forecast and check with your local governments to see if any local burning restrictions are in place.

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