INFORMATION BULLETIN

2010FOR0144-001006 Aug. 30, 2010

Ministry of Forests and Range Cariboo Fire Centre

 

CAMPFIRES, OPEN BURNING PERMITTED IN CARIBOO FIRE CENTRE

 

WILLIAMS LAKE – Effective immediately, open burning, including the lighting and use of campfires and restricted equipment such as tiki torches, fireworks, and burn barrels, will be permitted across the Cariboo 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.

 

The rescinding of the campfire ban applies to all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have open fire bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with civic authorities for any restrictions before lighting a fire.

 

The public is also reminded that burning material in piles larger than two metres high and three metres wide, or burning a grassed area larger than 2,000 square metres, requires a burn registration number. To obtain a number, call 1 888 797-1717.

 

The Cariboo Fire Centre is responsible for wildfire response for about 10.3 million hectares of land. Geographically, the centre covers all the area stretching from Clinton, north to the Cottonwood River, east to Wells Gray Provincial Park, and west to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

 

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 Contacts:

Erin Catherall Fire Information Officer Cariboo Fire Centre 250 392 0171

Heather Hawkins Fire Information Officer Cariboo Fire Centre 250 392 0171

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