The Category 3 Open Fire Ban has been lifted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, including the Fernie area, effective on Friday, September 18.

Recent weather and precipitation have reduced wildfire risk enough for the BC Wildfire Service to rescind the remaining open-fire prohibition in the region.

Category 1 campfires were permitted again on September 1, followed by Category 2 open fires on September 11.

A Category 3 open fire includes:
• Material burning concurrently in three or more piles, each no larger than two metres high and three metres wide.
• One or more piles exceeding two metres high and three metres wide.
• One or more windrows up to 200 metres long or 15 metres wide.
• Stubble or grass burning over an area greater than 0.2 hectares.

Air curtain burners and carbonizers are also permitted again.

Anyone conducting a Category 3 burn must first obtain a free burn registration number. Registration allows the BC Wildfire Service to track large-scale burning activity and distinguish planned burns from possible wildfires.

Burners must also comply with the Wildfire Act, Environmental Management Act and Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, including checking venting conditions before lighting a fire.

Local restrictions may still apply. Residents should check with the City of Fernie, RDEK or other applicable jurisdiction before conducting any open burn.

The BC Wildfire Service reminds anyone conducting an open burn to have sufficient people, water and tools available to control the fire, avoid burning during windy conditions, establish a fuel break around the burn area and never leave a fire unattended.

Before leaving, ensure the fire is completely extinguished and ashes are cold to the touch.

Source: BC Wildfire Service