The Northwest Fire Centre has placed a ban on open fires within the area covered by the fire centre with the exception of the area covered by the former North Coast Forest District.
The ban is effective Friday, July 13 at noon and continues through to August 31, 2012.
Under the prohibition, the burning of any waste, slash or other material is prohibited, as is the burning of stubble or grass.
Also banned are the use of fireworks and burning in barrels, regardless of size or descritpion.
Campfires, are permitted, by must not exceed 0.5 x 0.5 metres in size, and a fireguard must be established around the fire, including the clearing of flammable debris around the fire.
In addition, people lighting a campfire must have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water at hand to properly extinguish the fire and must not leave the fire unattended. Make sure that the fire is completely extinguished and the embers are cold before leaving the area.
Gas and briquette cooking stoves are permitted.
All BC Parks, Crown and private lands are covered by the prohibition.
The prohibition does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department.
Please check with civic authorities for any prohibitions before lighting a fire.
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.
Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness can be fined up to $1 million or spend three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs.
A map of the affected areas covered by the prohibition is available online at: http://bcwildfire.ca/ftp/!Project/WildfireNews/7102012~32400_July%2013,%202012%20map.pdf Report a wildfire or unattended campfire by calling *5555 on your cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning prohibitions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: http://bcwildfire.ca