By Laura Keil with files from PG Fire Centre
Effective at noon on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, the Prince George Fire Centre has partially rescinded the Category 1 Open Burning (campfires) prohibition.
Under this new order, campfires remain prohibited in the Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson fire zones but are permitted in other zones across the centre, including the Robson Valley. See map above.
Prohibitions apply to all public and private lands unless otherwise specified (e.g. in an enactment or local government bylaw).
Category 2 and 3 open burning prohibitions remain in place throughout the Prince George Fire Centre.
During campfire prohibitions, only CSA-rated or ULC-rated outdoor stoves or portable campfire apparatuses that use gas, propane or briquettes may be used; however, when conditions warrant, the use of portable campfire apparatus or outdoor stoves may be further restricted or prohibited.
In addition to the above noted open fire prohibitions, the following activities remain prohibited:
Please check the BC Wildfire Service Bans and Restrictions webpage for the most current prohibitions for your area.
Multiple factors are taken into consideration when assessing wildfire hazards and deciding whether to implement an open fire prohibition, including: current and forecasted weather conditions; the availability of firefighting resources; and the Buildup Index (BUI).
The BUI rating is an estimate of the total amount of fuel available for combustion on the landscape. It takes into account the fuel’s moisture content, since that can affect fire intensity.
Campfire prohibitions are implemented based on the particular region’s BUI values. The BUI allows the province’s six fire centres to follow a consistent and scientific process for evaluating the need for campfire prohibitions.
Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may issue 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 an/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.
For updates on the current wildfire situation, including full incident details for Wildfires of Note, please visit BCWildfire.ca.
