Category 3 open fires will be permitted as of noon today, Wednesday, October 9, throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.
A category 3 fire is categorized by having:
– Material in three or more piles, each not exceeding 2 metres in height or 3 metres in width,
– Material in one or more piles, each not exceeding 2 metres in height, or 3 metres in width,
– One or more windrows each not exceeding 200 metres in length or 15 metres in width, or
– Stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares.
Local governments may still have open fire restrictions in place, anyone burning should check with their local authority before lighting a fire of any size.
Category 3 open burning
Anyone planning to conduct a Category 3 burn must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time (at no charge) 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 below:
- Venting index and smoke sensitivity zone information is available 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
Although recent weather patterns have reduced the wildfire risk in the region, members of the public are urged to undertake any open burning responsibly to reduce the likelihood of starting an unintended fire.
Anyone found in contravention of an open 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 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. 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.
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