Open burning in Cariboo

Photo: Contributed

Open burning is now allowed in a part of the province that endured the brunt of the worst fire season on record.

Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are now allowed throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre's jurisdiction, due to a decreased wildfire risk in the region.

The rescinding of these prohibitions applies to all B.C. Parks, Crown lands and private lands in the Cariboo Fire Centre, but does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department. Please check with local authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.

The use of campfires, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, air curtain burners, fireworks (including firecrackers), burning barrels and burning cages have been allowed in the Cariboo Fire Centre since Sept. 22.

Anyone wishing to light a Category 3 open fire must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time by calling 1-888-797-1717 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. A burn registration number is not required to light a Category 2 open fire.

Anyone who lights, fuels or uses a Category 2 or Category 3 open fire must comply with the Environmental Management Act and the open burning smoke control regulation.

The act requires individuals to check local venting conditions prior to lighting a fire and ensure that conditions are favourable for burning. Local venting conditions can be obtained by calling 1-888-281-2992 or online.