Published: April 03, 2013 8:00 AM
The Cariboo Fire Centre is asking the public to exercise caution with any outdoor burning activities this spring.
As the snow melts, dried grass from last summer is uncovered and that material can be highly flammable, says fire information officer Michaela Swan. Almost all wildfires at this time of the year are caused by people and are, therefore, preventable, the Wildfire Management Branch spokesperson adds.
Homeowners and industry personnel are encouraged to consult the B.C. FireSmart manual and take the following precautions:
• Ensure enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and prevent it from escaping.
• Do not burn during windy conditions. Weather conditions can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.
• Create a fireguard at least one metre around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material.
• If you are planning a large burn, consider conducting smaller burns around the perimeter beforehand to create a fuel break and help stop the fire from spreading beyond its intended size. Each of these fires should be kept small and must be completely extinguished before starting a new fire.
• Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure that your fire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area.
People, who are planning to do any large-scale industrial burning or conduct a grass burn more than 0.2 hectares (Category 3 fires), must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time by calling 1-888-797-1717.
Venting conditions should always be checked before conducting an open burn. If conditions are rated “poor” or “fair,” open burning is restricted. The venting index can be found at www.bcairquality.ca/readings/ventilation-index.html.
In British Columbia, the Wildfire Act specifies a person’s legal obligations when using fire on or within one kilometre of forest land or grassland. If an outdoor burn escapes and causes a wildfire, the person responsible may be held accountable for damages and fire suppression costs.
Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345, or if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail.
If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
If people see flames or smoke, they are asked to call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or call *5555 on their cell phones.
To view the B.C. FireSmart manual, visit www.bcwildfire.ca/FightingWildfire/safety/pamphlets/FireSmart-BC4.pdf.
For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca.
People can follow the latest wildfire news on Twitter at twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo and/or on Facebook at facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo.
