As of yesterday, Category 2 open burns will be prohibited throughout the Prince George Fire Centre.
This prohibition will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified.
The prohibition applies to all public and private land unless specified otherwise.
What is a category two fire? It includes open burning of any material (piled or unpiled) smaller than two metres high and three metres wide, as well as stubble or grass fires over an area smaller than 2,000 square metres.
The prohibition does not apply to campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, nor to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation 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 contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca
