A ban on large fires has been extended to Quesnel.
Starting on Monday, June 21, category three open fires will be prohibited through the entire Cariboo Fire Centre region, including the Quesnel Forest District, according to a bulletin posted by the Cariboo Fire Centre.
“Specifically, prohibited activities that would constitute a Category 3 open fire include any fires larger than two meters high by three meters wide, three or more concurrently burning piles no larger than two meters high by three meters wide, burning of one or more windrows and burning of stubble or grass over an area greater than 0.2 hectares,” the bulletin reads.
READ MORE: Caution urged with outdoor burning says Cariboo Fire Centre
Category three fires have been banned in the 100 Mile Forest District since May 3 and the Chilcotin Forest District and Tsilhqot’in (Xeni Gwet’in) Declared Title Area since May 31.
“This prohibition does not ban campfires that are half-metre high by a high-metre wide or smaller, and does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes,” the notice reads. “This prohibition also does not ban Category 2 fires, which include one or two concurrently burning piles up to two metres high by three metres wide, or the burning of stubble or grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares.”
A poster explaining what each category of fire is is available at http://ow.ly/znny309kJv5.
The bulletin notes the ban extends to BC Parks, Crown lands and private land, but does not apply to local governments who have their own fire prevention laws and fire department.
“Check with your local government or other jurisdictional authorities before lighting a fire of any size since they may have their own restrictions in place,” it reads.
Anyone caught breaking a fire ban could face a fine of over $1,000, or if convicted in court up to $100,000. If the fire sparks a wildfire, the person may be sentenced to pay firefighting costs related to the fire.
The ban will remain in place until Oct. 1, or until otherwise indicated.
READ MORE: Famous Cariboo carver Ken Sheen’s wood shop destroyed by fire
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