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Fire prohibition reminder from Southeast Fire Centre

Media release from Southeast Fire Centre from Oct. 4th, 2012.

The public is reminded that, despite cooler temperatures

in recent days, drought-like conditions persist in many of the

Southeast Fire Centre's fire zones.

An open-burning prohibition has been in effect in the Southeast Fire

Centre since July 13, and will remain in effect until the public is

otherwise notified.

* Category 3 open fires are banned throughout the fire centre.

* Category 2 fires are banned throughout the fire centre with the

exception of the Columbia Fire Zone.

Specifically, the prohibitions apply to the burning of piled

material, stubble, grass and windrows.

Open burning prohibitions are implemented to help prevent human-

caused wildfires and to protect public safety. Anyone found in

contravention of an open-fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for

$345 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and

sentenced to one year in jail.

This prohibition does not apply to campfires, fires in burning

barrels, fireworks or cooking stoves that use gas, propane or

briquettes. It also does not apply to resource management open

fires, such as the one scheduled to occur within the next two weeks

near Fir Mountain, west of Canal Flats.

Campfires must not be larger than 0.5 metres by 0.5 metres in size.

Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing

flammable debris around the campfire area and must have a hand tool

or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly

extinguish the fire.

This prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands,

but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that

have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire

departments. Please check with civic authorities for any other

prohibitions before lighting a fire.

Report a wildfire or unattended campfire by calling *5555 on your

cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. For the latest information on

 

current wildfire activity, please visit: www.bcwildfire.ca