No open burning  

Effective at noon on April 15, open burning will be prohibited across the entire Cariboo Fire Centre in an effort to prevent person-caused wildfires and to protect the public.

 The Cariboo Fire Centre covers an area of about 10.3 million hectares, stretching from Clinton north to the Cottonwood River, east to Wells Gray Provincial Park, and west to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

 Since March 31, Cariboo Fire Centre crews have responded to six wildfire incidents. All of these fires were caused by people.

 Anyone conducting Category 2 or 3 fires must extinguish them by noon on April 15. This prohibition will remain in place until Sept. 30, or until the public is informed otherwise.

 Specifically, this open fire prohibition applies to the burning of any waste, slash or other material, or the burning of stubble or grass.

 This prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide (or smaller) and does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.

 However, it applies to all B.C. parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department.

 Before lighting any fire, residents should check with local civic authorities regarding any current prohibitions. 

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. 

To report a wildfire or noncompliant open burning, folks should call 1-800-663-5555, or dial *5555 on a cell phone. 

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca.