An open burning prohibition has been in effect in the Southeast Fire Centre since July 13 and will remain in effect until Sept. 19 or until the public is otherwise notified.

The Southeast Fire Centre is reminding the public that despite rainy conditions and fallen debris caused by recent storms, this prohibition is being enforced across the entire Southeast Fire Centre and prohibits:

* the burning of any waste, slash or other material.

* the burning of stubble or grass.

* the use of fireworks or burning barrels of any size or description.

Open burning prohibitions are implemented to help prevent human-caused wildfires and to protect public safety. Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail.

This prohibition does not include campfires, gas or propane cooking stoves or briquettes. It also does not apply to a resource management open fire.

Campfires must not be larger than 0.5 metres by 0.5 metres in size. Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris around the campfire area and must have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire.

This prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department.

Please check with civic authorities for any prohibitions before lighting a fire.

Report a wildfire or unattended campfire by calling *5555 on your cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, please visit: www.bcwildfire.ca .

Southeast Fire Centre

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