The BC Wildfire Service has rescinded the Category One Campfire Ban in the Fort Nelson area.
Effective at 12 p.m. Monday July 7, Category 1 (campfires) will once again be permitted in the Fort Nelson Forest District.
The wildfire service said although fire danger ratings have dropped due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the public is reminded to still exercise caution.
Avoid having a campfire when it’s windy, choose a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks at least three metres from trees, shrubs, structures and debris, and do not leave a campfire unattended for any amount of time.
A Category One or campfire, is defined as an open fire that burns piled material no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide. The following precautions must be in place when lighting or making use of a campfire:
- There is ready access to a shovel or at least eight litres of water the entirety of the time the campfire is lit,
- There is a fuel break around the campfire, free of any debris or combustible materials, and
- The fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the campfire for any length of time.
Category 2 and Category 3 open burning remains prohibited, as well as the use of the following:
- Fireworks including fire crackers
- Sky Lanterns
- Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
- Binary exploding targets
Prohibitions apply to all public and private lands unless otherwise specified (e.g. in an enactment or local government bylaw). Please check with your local authorities before lighting any fire.
Please check the BC Wildfire Service Bans and Restrictions webpage for the most current prohibitions for your area.