Photo: BC Wildfire Service

BC Wildfire Service released a notice on April 17 reminding those who plan to burn away all the left over branches and wood abide by a few simple rules?

A majority of the snow in the Kootenays has receded back to the snowcaps leaving behind the debris and branches that either fell or were scattered during the winter months.

BC Wildfire Service released a notice on April 17 reminding those who plan to burn away all the left over branches and wood abide by a few simple rules. The rules are as follows:

• Make sure a firefighting hand tool is always available, and that a fire is always being monitored by at least one person;
• Ensure that the fire is safe distance from any structures, shrubs trees or flammable materials;
• Use the "fire triangle method" around your fire by scraping the area down to the dirt;
• Always keep you pile of debris under two metres high by three metres wide (this classifies as a category two open fire); and
• When all is said and done make sure that the fire is completely extinguished.

Anyone lighting a category three fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1-888-797-1717 or emailing [email protected].

BC Wildfire Service stressed the most important part of the process is ensuring that a fire has been properly put out.

"Countless wildfires have started because people believe it to be fine," they said in a news release. "This is not fine."

For more information about open fire safety, head to the BC Wildfire website to learn more.