Campfires allowed again thanks to weekend of wet weather

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Campfires are once again allowed in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek fire zones due to changing weather conditions in the region. 

According to a press release on June 17th, the Prince George Fire Centre is rescinding bans around open fires put in place earlier this month in the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John fire zones.

As of 12 p.m. on June 17th, category one fires will be allowed in the region, but will remain in effect for the Fort Nelson Forest District. 

Category two and three open fire prohibitions will continue to remain in place for the Prince George, Stuart Nechako, Mackenzie, Peace and Fort Nelson forest districts.

A category one fire is described as being no larger than 0.5 metres high and wide, category two fires are no larger than two metres in any direction or size, and category three burns are no more than three piles of material not exceeding three metres wide and two metres tall. 

“Although fire danger ratings have dropped due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the public is reminded to still exercise caution,” the centre wrote.

“Avoid having a campfire when it’s windy, choose a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks at least three metres from trees, shrubs, structures and debris, and do not leave a campfire unattended for any amount of time.”

These restrictions apply to public and private lands, but not municipal lands unless otherwise specified through a local government bylaw. 

On June 16th, the BC Wildfire Service reduced the fire risk rating for the Fort St. John region from ‘extreme danger’ to ‘low danger’ due to changing climate conditions in the region.