As of Wednesday, June 24th, open fires will be prohibited in the Southeast Fire Centre to prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.
In a press release from the Center, the Category Two prohibition will remain in place indefinitely. This comes after a Category Three ban was put in place in May.
Specifically, prohibited activities include:
• The burning of waste or other materials.
• Stubble or grass fires of any size over any area.
• The use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description.
• The use of binary exploding targets.
• The use of air curtain burners (forced air burning systems).
The prohibition does not extend to campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller.
These prohibitions cover all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but do 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 to see if any other burning restrictions are in place before lighting any fire.
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345, 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 an open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.