By Greg Fry

Campfires

Campfire ban rescinded in Prince George and Northwest Fire Centres

Jul 30, 2024 | 10:21 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — Effective noon this Thursday (August 1), the BC Wildfire Service is rescinding the campfire bans in the Prince George and Northwest Fire Centres.

Multiple factors are taken into consideration prior to lifting a ban, including current and forecasted weather conditions, the availability of firefighting resources and the buildup index.

The current prohibition for any Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remains in effect.

Although fire danger ratings have dropped due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the public is reminded to still exercise caution. Avoid having a campfire when it’s windy, choose a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks at least three metres from trees, shrubs, structures and debris, and do not leave a campfire unattended for any amount of time.

A Category 1 fire, or campfire, is defined as an open fire that burns piled material no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide. The following precautions must be in place when lighting or making use of a campfire:

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• There is ready access to a shovel or at least eight litres of water the entirety of the time the campfire is lit
• There is a fuel break around the campfire, free of any debris or combustible materials
• The fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the campfire for any length of time

Category 2 and Category 3 open burning remains prohibited, in addition to the use of the following:

• Fireworks
• Sky Lanterns
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
• Binary exploding targets

Prohibitions apply to all public and private lands unless otherwise specified (e.g. in an enactment or local government bylaw). Please check with your local authorities before lighting any fire.