The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has announced that as of 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, the ban on Category 2 open burning has been rescinded through out the Southeast Fire Centre (SEFC).
Due to decreased wildfire risk, the following activities will once again be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre:
- One to two concurrently burning piles no larger than two metres high by three metres wide
- Burning stubble or grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares
- The use of fireworks
- The use of exploding binary targets
- The use of air curtain burners
- The use of sky lanterns, and
- The use of burn barrels or burn cages
Category 3 open fires are still prohibited in the SEFC until Oct. 28, or until the public is notified otherwise.
The BCWS asks the public to follow the following guidelines with any Category 2 open burns:
- Never leave a fire unattended
- Follow the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation
- Check the local venting index.
- At least one person equipped with a firefighting hand tool must monitor the fire at all times
- Never burn in windy conditions. 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 soil
- Make sure that your fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area for any length of time
Anyone found violating an open fire prohibition could be issued a ticket of up to $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/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.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, contact 1-800-663-5555 or dial *5555 on a cellphone.
Learn more about current wildfire activity, road closures and air quality, visit bcwildfire.ca
