As of Wednesday, Category 3 open burning will once again be allowed throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.
A news release from BC Wildfire Service stated while bans are being rescinded, local governments may still have open fire restrictions in place. Anyone planning on doing a burn should check with their local authority before lighting a fire of any size.
A category 3 burn is any fire larger than two metres wide by three metres high,3 or more concurrently burning piles no larger than two metres high by three metres wide, one or more burning windrows, stubble or grass burning over an area greater than 0.2 hectares, according to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ website.
Anyone planning a Category 3 burn must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time. This is a free service and can be done by calling 1-888-797-1717. Burn registration numbers are entered into the Open Fire Tracking System, which allows the BC Wildfire Service to track open burning activity throughout B.C.
All open burning must comply with the Wildfire Act, Environmental Management Act and Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. Anyone conducting an open burn must check local venting conditions prior to lighting a fire, understand what smoke sensitivity zone the burn site is in, and meet all other obligations associated with these regulations.
More information can be found at:
- Venting index and smoke sensitivity zone information by calling 1-888-281-2992 or visiting: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/
- Learn more about regulations that apply to Category 3 open fires: http://ow.ly/dV2B50BIiZk
Anyone found violating a fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the illegal fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north, and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west, to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 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, visit: bcwildfire.ca, the BC Wildfire Map or download our app.