Category 2 and 3 burn bans to be lifted for Prince George Fire Centre

The BC Wildfire Service is lifting Category 2 and 3 burning prohibitions for parts of the Prince George Fire Centre, effective at noon Friday, Sept. 27.

Category 2 and Category 3 open burning and other associated activities will be permitted in the Mackenzie, Prince George and Stuart Nechako Forest Districts (Mackenzie, Prince George, Robson Valley and VanJam fire zones).

A Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibition remains in effect in the Fort Nelson and Peace Forest Districts (Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John fire zones) until noon on Tuesday, Oct. 15 or until the order is rescinded.

Category 2 open fire:

• Material in one pile not exceeding two metres high and three metres wide
• Material concurrently in two piles each not more than two metres high and three metres wide
• Stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares

Category 3 open fire:

• Material concurrently in three or more piles each not exceeding two metres high and three metres wide
• Material in one or more piles each exceeding two metres high or three metres wide
• One or more windrows, none more than 200 metres long or 15 metres wide
• Stubble or grass over an area more than 0.2 hectares

Fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels, burn cages and binary exploding targets will also be prohibited in the Fort Nelson and Peace Forest Districts (Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John fire zones)

"Please ensure you are aware of the forest district you reside within and the open fire bans and restrictions that exist within that area," states the advisory from the wildfire service. "These prohibitions remains in place to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety due to the high grass fire hazard and persistent drought conditions in the northeast of the province."

Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1-888-797-1717 or emailing [email protected].

The fine for violating an open-burning prohibition is $1,150, with the possibility of an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, a fine of up to $100,000 and/or a year in jail. Violators may also be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone or through the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.