Fire ban

Open fire bans expanded to include all areas in Prince George Fire Centre

Jun 6, 2025 | 1:36 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — The BC Wildfire Service will expand its open fire ban to include all of the Prince George Fire Centre.

The prohibition will go into effect at noon on Sunday, June 8. The remaining areas area the Robson Valley, Prince George, VanJam, and Mackenzie fire zones. As of Sunday, Category 2 and Category 3 open burning will be prohibited throughout the entire Prince George Fire Centre.

A Category 2 open fire, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation, refers to any fire that burns:

  • One pile of material not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide
  • Two piles of material, each not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide
  • Stubble or grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres)

A Category 3 open fire, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation, refers to any fire that burns:

  • Three or more piles of material, each not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide
  • Any pile of material larger than 2 metres high or 3 metres wide
  • Windrows not exceeding 200 metres in length and 15 metres in width
  • Stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres)

This prohibition will remain in effect until 12 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday October 15, 2025, or until the order is rescinded.

The following activities and use of the following equipment, materials and substances are also prohibited:

  • Fireworks
  • Sky lanterns
  • Burn barrels or burn cages of any size
  • Binary exploding targets

This prohibition does not ban Category 1 (campfires) that are a half-metre high by half-metre wide or smaller, or the use of cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. However, Category 1 (campfires) still remain in effect for the Dawson, Fort St. John, and Fort Nelson fire zones.

The Wildfire Service says this prohibition is being implemented to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety due to the high grass fire hazard, persistent drought conditions and increased incidence of human-caused wildfires associated with Category 2 and Category 3 open burning.

Individuals who violate the open fire prohibition may face fines of up to $1,150, administrative penalties of up to $10,000, or court convictions with fines up to $100,000 and/or one year in jail. If a prohibited fire leads to a wildfire, the individual may be held responsible for the full cost of firefighting and any damage to Crown resources. More information about the Wildfire Act and Regulation is available online.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone or through the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.