Category 2 open fire prohibition to get lifted across the Cariboo tomorrow

The Cariboo Fire Centre has announced that Category 2 open fires will be permitted region-wide starting tomorrow at noon.

In coordination with the Tsilqot’in Declared Title Area, the Category 1 campfire ban will also be lifted tomorrow at noon.

Fire Information Officer, Madison Dahl explains what a Category 2 open fire is.

“A Category 2 open fire is material in one pile not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width, materials concurrently in two piles not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width, or stubble or grass or an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares.”

Dahl says anyone lighting a Category 2 open fire must also comply with BC’s Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations and check the local venting index online.

Category 3 open fires will remain prohibited, and is:

• material concurrently in three or more piles each not exceeding two metres high and three metres wide
• material in one or more piles each exceeding two metres high and three metres wide
• one or more windrows, none of which exceed 200 metres in length or 15 metres wide
• stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares

Dahl added before lighting a fire of any size, to check with local government authority, as they may have their own restrictions.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150 and may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000, or if convicted in court there could be fines of up to $100,000.

More information about the Category 2 open fires prohibition lift can be found on the BC Wildfire Service’s website here.