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Fire ban in Northwest

A fire ban in the Northwest including the Bulkley fire zone is in effect today
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Area covered by the fire ban.

Campers in the Northwest will have to find another way to warm up tonight after a fire ban was set to begin at 4 p.m. today. The ban includes the Bulkley fire zone and will be in place until Sept. 15 or until the Wildfire Management Branch says otherwise.

Campfires and open burning are not allowed in all BC parks, Crown lands, and private land outside areas governed by local fire prevention bylaws serviced by fire departments. The ban was put in place because of the moderate to extreme fire danger in the area that has been under hot and sunny skies. The forecast calls for the dry conditions to continue for the rest of the week.

The following falls under the prohibition:

-- campfires

-- Category two and three open fires

-- outdoor stoves and other portable campfire apparatuses that are not CSA or ULC approved

-- tiki torches

-- burn barrels

-- fireworks

-- sky lanterns

The ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane, or briquettes.

Breaking the ban can mean a $345 ticket or a court conviction resulting in a fine of up to $100,000 and one year in jail. A wildfire started by someone ignoring the ban can have that person paying a $10,000 penalty plus the costs of fighting the fire.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone.