Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural
Resource Operations Southeast Fire Centre
INFORMATION
BULLETIN
Campfire ban rescinded in Southeast Fire
Centre
CASTLEGAR - Effective at 4 p.m. Pacific
Time on Friday, Aug. 15, campfires once again will be permitted throughout the
Southeast Fire Centre's jurisdiction.
The current campfire ban is being
rescinded due to cooler weather in the forecast and recent precipitation that
has resulted in a decreased wildfire risk in the region.
Anyone lighting a campfire must follow
B.C.'s campfire regulations, which include the following:
* The campfire must not be bigger than
half a metre wide or half a metre high.
* Flammable material (such a twigs and
pine needles) must be removed from around the campfire area and this fuel-free
area must be maintained while the campfire is burning.
* A shovel or at least eight litres of
water must be available onsite to properly extinguish the
fire.
* A campfire must never be left
unattended.
* The ashes must be cool to the touch
before you leave the area for any length of time.
An existing open fire prohibition will
remain in place until the public is otherwise notified. Specifically, prohibited
open burning activities include:
* The burning of any waste, slash or
other materials.
* Stubble or grass fires of any size over
any area.
* The use of fireworks, sky lanterns or
burning barrels of any size or description.
The open burning prohibition covers all
BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the
boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is
serviced by a fire department. Please check with local authorities for any other
restrictions before lighting a fire.
Anyone found in contravention of an open
fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, may
be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention
causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be subject to a
penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated
costs.
The Southeast Fire Centre covers the area
extending from the U.S.A. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north and from
the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west to the B.C.-Alberta
border in the east. It includes the Selkirk Natural Resource District and the
Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District.
To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555
toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
For the latest information on current
wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality
advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca
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