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INFORMATION BULLETIN
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2010FOR0140-000989 |
Ministry of Forests
and Range
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CAMPFIRES PERMITTED ACROSS THE NORTHWEST FIRE CENTRE
SMITHERS – Effective immediately, campfires will be permitted across the Northwest Fire Centre’s jurisdiction due to a decreased risk of wildfires.
Campfires must not be larger than 0.5 metres wide or 0.5 metres tall. Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool such as a shovel, or at least eight litres of water, nearby to fully extinguish it. Never leave a campfire unattended, and make sure ashes are completely cold to the touch before leaving the area.
Although small, contained campfires are now permitted, open fires of any other description remain prohibited. This prohibition includes fireworks and burning barrels.
The rescinding of this prohibition applies to all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but 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 restrictions before lighting a fire.
Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban may be issued a ticket for $345. Should a wildfire occur as a result of recklessness, a person can be fined up to $1 million or spend three years in prison and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
The Northwest Fire Centre is responsible for fire suppression and forest protection for an area that stretches from Burns Lake to Haida Gwaii and from Tweedsmuir Park to the Yukon border.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire please call *5555 on your cellphone, or toll-free to 1 800 663-5555.
For more information on open fire prohibitions, area restrictions or for updates on current wildfire activity, visit www.bcwildfire.ca.
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Media Contact:
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Lindsay Carnes Northwest Fire Centre 250 847-6641 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
