Effective at noon PDT on Thursday, August 4, 2022, campfires will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. The Southeast Fire Centre includes Fernie and the Elk Valley and extends from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north, and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west, to the B.C. – Alberta border in the east.
Earlier today an Evacuation ALERT was issued for six properties near the Connell Ridge Fire (N10989), which is located approximately 15km south of Cranbrook.
Hot and dry conditions in the Southeast Fire Centre are expected to continue. The fire danger rating in the region is generally High to Extreme.
The following activities are prohibited:
• Campfires as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
• Category 2 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
• Category 3 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
• fireworks
• sky lanterns, burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
• air curtain burners
• binary exploding targets
• tiki and similar kind torches
• the use of chimineas, outdoor stoves and other portable campfire apparatuses that are not CSA-approved or ULC-approved
These prohibitions apply to all public and private land unless specified otherwise (for example, in a local government bylaw). Please check with local government authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.
Prohibitions on Category 2 and Category 3 open burning remain in effect throughout the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. The campfire prohibition will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified.
Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, 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.
The BC Wildfire Service would like to thank the public for its continuing help in preventing wildfires. To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. Wildfires may also be reported through the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: bcwildfire.ca
