Fire prohibitions expected next week from BC Wildfire Service

As conditions remain dry and temperatures heat up, the BC Wildfire Service will be issuing Category 2 and 3 fire prohibitions next week.

The prohibitions will be for the southern zones which include Valemount, Prince George, Vanderhoof and Fort St James.

For those planning on having a spring campfire, or burning debris this weekend, the service said:

• Category 2 open fires for backyard burning should be no larger than 3 metres wide by 2 metres tall.
• Check for fire prohibitions and with local government to ensure burning is allowed in your area.
• Position your fire a safe distance from anything flammable.
• Create a wide fuel break by scraping down to mineral soil to remove any flammable debris.
• Never leave your fire unattended.
• Have a hand tool readily available and enough water to put the fire out.
• You must have 8 litres for a campfire and a fire suppression system for a Category 2 open fire.
• When you are done burning, make sure the fire is out and ashes are cool to the touch.

It added that early spring is also a period of increased wildfire risk called “spring dip”, which happens every year.

A full map of current wildfire activity can be found here.