By Goat staff
Effective at 12:00 pm (noon) on Friday, June 25, 2021, Category 2 and Category 3 open burning will be prohibited through the Prince George Fire Centre’s (PGFC) jurisdiction.
The current forecast for the PGFC’s jurisdiction area is calling for elevated temperatures through the weekend and into early next week, causing increased fire danger ratings. This prohibition will remain in effect until 12:00 pm (noon) on October 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.
A map of the affected area is available online: http://ow.ly/EXCJ30rLNtW
In addition to Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, this prohibition covers the following activities:
“· fireworks;
“· sky lanterns; and
“· burn barrels and burn cages of any size or description.
This prohibition order does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller) and does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. An information poster about open fire regulations is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs
Prohibitions apply to all public and private lands unless otherwise specified (e.g., in an enactment or local government bylaw). Check with local government authorities for restrictions before lighting any fire.
Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
