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* With files provided by the Southeast Fire Centre

CASTLEGAR - Effective at 1pm MT on Friday, June 25, 2021, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, as well as other equipment and activities will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. This prohibition is being implemented due to increased fire danger ratings caused by a warming trend throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.

This prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 9, 2021, or until the order is rescinded. Anyone conducting Category 2 or Category 3 open fires within the Southeast Fire Centre's jurisdiction must extinguish those fires by the June 25th deadline.

A map of the affected area is available online at: http://ow.ly/jPBK50Fh7DF

Specifically, prohibited activities will include:
• Category 2 open fires;
• Category 3 open fires;
• Fireworks;
• Sky Lanterns and,
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description, except when used for a campfire as defined by the Wildfire Regulation.

This prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller and does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.

Prohibitions apply to all public and private land, unless specified otherwise (e.g., in a local government bylaw). Check with local government authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any 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.

The Southeast Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its continuing help in preventing wildfires. To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: bcwildfire.ca

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