Effective Friday, Sept. 25, Category 2 open burning prohibitions are rescinded throughout the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction (which includes the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District and the Selkirk Natural Resource District), due to decreased wildfire risk.

The following activities will once again be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre:

• burning waste, slash or other materials;
• concurrently burning one or two piles no larger than two metres high by three metres wide;
• burning stubble or grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares;
• the use of fireworks;
• the use of exploding binary targets;
• the use of air curtain burners;
• the use of sky lanterns;
• the use of burn barrels or burn cages.

Residents are reminded to take the following precautions with any Category 2 open burning:

• Follow the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.
• Check the local venting index. Venting index information is available by calling 1 888 281-2992 or visit here.
• At least one person equipped with a firefighting hand tool must monitor the fire at all times.
• Do not burn in windy conditions. The weather can change quickly, and wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.
• Create a fire guard around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material right down to the soil.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Make sure that your fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area for any length of time.

Category 3 open fires, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation, remain prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre until the public is otherwise notified. A map of areas affected by the current Category 3 open fire prohibition is available online.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $100,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to up 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, as well as the value of the resources damaged or destroyed by the wildfire.

The Southeast Fire Centre 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.

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