Campfires are banned throughout the entire Cariboo Fire Centre (CFC).
The prohibitions will remain in place until Sept. 30, 2014, or until the public is informed otherwise.
The fire danger rating is currently “high” throughout the CFC, with some areas rated “extreme.”
No open burning
Open burning is also banned throughout the CFC.
This prohibition applies to open fires of any size, fireworks, sky lanterns, tiki torches, chimineas and burning barrels.
The ban doesn’t apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that use briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
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. Check with local authorities for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.
Penalty warning
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.
Coverage area
The Cariboo Fire Centre covers an area of about 10.3 million hectares, stretching from Loon Lake in the south to just north of Quesnel at the Cottonwood River. From east to west, the boundaries stretch from the western edge of Wells Gray Provincial Park to the eastern boundary of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.
Report fires
Report a wildfire or unattended campfire by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: www.bcwildfire.ca.
