Open burning will be prohibited throughout the Prince George Fire Centre area, starting on July 28.
The ban will come into effect at noon and run until noon on Oct. 15, or until the order is rescinded. Class 2 (up to two piles, no more than two metres high and three metres wide) and Class 3 (any controlled burns larger than a Class 2 fire) will be prohibited, along with the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels or burn cages of any size, and air curtain burners.
The prohibition doesn’t apply to campfires up to 50 cm high and 50 cm wide or cooking stoves that use gas, propane or charcoal briquettes.
The Prince George Fire Centre area includes all of north-central and northeast B.C., from just south of Prince George to the Yukon border.
“The current forecast for the PGFC’s jurisdiction area is calling for elevated temperatures through the weekend and into next week, causing increased fire danger,” a statement issued by the Prince George Fire Centre on Friday said. “This prohibition is being enacted to help reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety.”
The prohibitions apply to all public and private lands, unless otherwise specified. People violating the fire ban can face fines up to $1,150 and 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 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
If the fire ban contravention caused on contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all the costs of fighting the fire.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone or use the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.
The latest information on fire bans throughout the province can be found on the BC Wildfire Service website. Restrictions on Class 2 and Class 3 fires are already in place throughout much of the province.
