Campfires will be permitted throughout the Northwest including the Houston area and Prince George Fire Centre beginning at 12:00 noon, Pacific Daylight Time on today, July 28, 2021.
Although fire danger ratings have declined in the region due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the public is strongly encouraged to exercise extreme caution with the use of any campfire. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations. Before lighting any fire, check with local government authorities to see if any local burning restrictions are in place.
While campfires will be allowed, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited, which includes the use of fireworks and sky lanterns. These restrictions will remain in place until Oct. 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.
Map: Northwest Fire Centre Prohibition Areas for Category 2 and 3 open fires
A poster explaining the different categories of open burning and applicable regulations is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs.
Campfires
A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
Reminders about campfires:
- Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly, and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material.
- Maintain a fireguard around your campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
Other activities which were previously banned, but will now be permitted include:
- The use of burn barrels or burn cages
- The use of binary exploding targets
- The use of tiki and similar kinds of torches
- The use of chimineas
- The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating
- The use of air curtain burners
The province is divided into six regional fire centres, to view the boundaries for the Northwest Fire Centre and the Prince George Fire Centre visit http://ow.ly/OMn950FFxhm.
To report a wildfire or an open burning violation, call *5555 on a cell phone or 1-800-663-5555 toll-free. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit http://www.bcwildfire.ca.
