Fort Nelson campfire ban lifted by Prince George Fire Centre

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Campfires are being permitted again within the Fort Nelson fire zone.

The Prince George Fire Centre announced on the morning of Monday, July 7th that as of noon that day, its ban on category one burning within the region is being lifted.

The ban was put in place early last month during one of the most intense periods of this year’s wildfire season, with multiple evacuation alerts and orders in effect at the time.

The ban on category one burning was lifted in the Fort St. John and Dawson Creek fire zones on June 17th.

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. 

Category two and three open fire prohibitions will continue to remain in place across the Prince George Fire Centre’s coverage area. 

Those prohibitions are reportedly in effect on all non-municipal public and private land, unless otherwise specified in a local bylaw or enactment.

People who violate the ban could face a $1,150 ticket, be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to a year in jail.

“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.”

To learn more about what kinds of burning are and aren’t permitted in the region right now, click here.