Cariboo Fire Centre says holdover fire risk remains despite cooler temperatures and precipitation

Category Three open fires are currently prohibited throughout the 100 Mile House Forest District and to the west side of the high-water mark of the Fraser River within the Cariboo Chilcotin Forest District and the Tsilhqot’in (Xeni Gwet-in) Declared Title Area.

Prohibited activities that would constitute a Category Three open fire include:

any fires larger than two meters high by three meters wide
three or more concurrently burning piles no larger than two meters high by three meters wide
burning of one or more windrows
burning of stubble or grass over an area greater than 0.2 hectares

It’s the responsibility of the individual who ignited any fire to ensure it is completely extinguished at the time a prohibition becomes effective. A Category Three open fire must be extinguished prior to the expiration of the burn registration number.

Piles which have been ignited after land clearing or road building may require additional attention to ensure the fire is completely extinguished. Hot spots in such piles may be more difficult to identify, and likely to continue smouldering if not fully extinguished.

Cariboo Fire Centre said human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires.

Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000, or if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

by Aaron Schulze

Cariboo Fire Centre says holdover fire risk remains despite cooler temperatures and precipitation

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