Effective at noon on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, Category 3 open burning will once again be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. The Southeast Fire Centre includes Fernie, the Elk Valley and extending from the U.S. border to Mica Dam and from the Okanagan Highlands/west side of the Monashee Mountains to the B.C./Alberta border.

Local governments may still have open fire restrictions in place, anyone burning should check with their local authority before lighting a fire of any size.

Category 3 open burning:

Anyone planning to conduct a Category 3 burn must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time (at no charge) by calling 1 888 797-1717. Burn registration numbers are entered into the Open Fire Tracking System, which allows the BC Wildfire Service to track open burning activity throughout B.C.

All open burning must comply with the Wildfire Act, Environmental Management Act and Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. Anyone conducting an open burn must check local venting conditions prior to lighting a fire, understand what smoke sensitivity zone the burn site is in, and meet all other obligations associated with these regulations.

More information:
• Venting index and smoke sensitivity zone information is available by calling 1 888 281-2992 or visiting: www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/
• Learn more about regulations that apply to Category 3 open fires here.

Although recent weather patterns have reduced the wildfire risk in the region, members of the public are urged to undertake any open burning responsibly to reduce the likelihood of starting an unintended fire.

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.