An expanded burn prohibition starts in the Prince George area tomorrow

With fire season fast approaching, BCWS has announced an expanded fire prohibition in Prince George to start on Thursday.

Category two open burns will no longer be allowed as of noon tomorrow throughout the Prince George Fire Centre's jurisdiction, which spans from the Yukon and North West Territories, to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, the Cottonwood River and Robson Valley, east to the Alberta border and west to the Skeena Mountains.

Category 2 open burns will be prohibited throughout the #PrinceGeorge Fire Centre as of noon tomorrow, May 23, 2019, and will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified. Further info available via the #BCWildfire website: https://t.co/0ZwlMM3QnC

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) May 22, 2019

All public and private land is included in the prohibition, with some exceptions to the prohibition, such as through local government bylaws.

Category two prohibitions restrict open burning smaller than two-metres high and three-metres wide as well as the burning of stubble or grass over an area smaller than 2,000-sq. metres.

Campfires are still allowed in the area, as they are categorized as a Category three fire, and cooking stoves that use gas, propane and briquettes are also allowed.

Those found in contravention of the burning prohibitions set in place can be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted, may face fines of up to $100,000 and a year in jail.

For more information regarding open fire regulations, click here.