Campfires still allowed in Northeast B.C., while bans take affect elsewhere

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Even with the increased forest fire danger, campfires and open burning are still allowed in the B.C. Peace and Fort Nelson forest districts.

In other parts of the Prince George Fire Centre as of noon Thursday, all open burning, including campfires, Category 2 open burns and Category 3 open burns, will be prohibited throughout the Omineca region within the Prince George Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

The Omineca region includes:

the Prince George Forest District
the Vanderhoof Forest District
the Fort St. James Forest District
the Mackenzie Forest District

This prohibition will not apply to:

the Peace Forest District – that’s us in the B.C. Peace
the Fort Nelson Forest District

These steps are being taken due to current weather conditions and the number of fires that the BC Wildfire Service is responding to in the Omineca region. More lightning is in the forecast for the Prince George Fire Centre and firefighting resources must focus on existing fires and new, naturally occurring fires.

This prohibition will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified. A map of the affected areas is available online: http://ow.ly/XgfQ30ljjDZ

This prohibition applies to all public and private land within the Prince George Fire Centre’s jurisdiction covered by this prohibition unless specified otherwise (for example, in a local government bylaw). Please check with local government authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.

The following activities will be prohibited in the Omineca region:

campfires
Category 2 open fires
Category 3 open fires
the burning of any waste, slash or other materials
stubble or grass fires of any size over any area
the use of stoves and other portable campfire apparatuses that are not CSA-approved or ULC-approved
fires burning woody debris in outdoor stoves
the use of tiki torches, fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description
the use of binary exploding targets (e.g. for rifle target practice)