Fire prohibitions

Campfire ban coming to Prince George Fire Centre

May 17, 2023 | 10:39 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — A campfire ban has been announced for the entire Prince George Fire Centre.

The BC Wildfire Service says it goes into effect at noon Friday, May 19. Category 2 and Category 3 bans went into effect earlier this month.

This prohibition will remain in effect until 12:00 (noon) on Sunday, October 15, 2023 or until it is rescinded. Prohibitions apply to all public and private lands unless otherwise specified (e.g. in an enactment or local government bylaw). A map outlining the area of this prohibition is below.

In addition to prohibiting the use of open fire of any size, the following activities remain prohibited:

  • The use of tiki and/or similar kinds of torches
  • The use of chimineas
  • The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a CSA or ULC rating
  • The use of fireworks and sky lanterns
  • The use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size
  • The use of binary exploding targets or air curtain burners

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. Please check the BC Wildfire Service Bans and Restrictions webpage for the most current prohibitions for your area.

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.