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* With files from the Southeast Fire Centre 

CASTLEGAR (September 15, 2021) -- Effective at noon Pacific Time (1:00pm MT) on Thursday, September 16, 2021, all open burning will be permitted in the Cranbrook, Invermere, Columbia, Arrow and Kootenay Lake fire zones. However, open burning will remain prohibited in the Boundary fire zone.

In the Boundary Zone the following equipment and activities remain prohibited:

• Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation;
• the use of burn barrels and burn cages of any size or description;
• the use of air curtain burners;
• the use of sky lanterns;
• the use of fireworks, including firecrackers; and
• the use of binary exploding targets.

A map of the affected areas and their associated prohibitions is available online: http://ow.ly/5E3I50G9hgR. Fireworks are not permitted within the municipal boundary of the City of Cranbrook.

Local governments may still have their own burning restrictions in place, people should always check with local authorities before lighting any fire of any size. Campfires are currently allowed within the municipal boundary of the City of Cranbrook.

The BC Wildfire Service takes several factors into account before rescinding its open burning prohibitions. This includes balancing the needs of the public with the need to mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires. With recent and forecast weather conditions that include cooler temperatures, and higher humidity, the fire danger rating has dropped throughout most of the Southeast Fire Centre.

Anyone lighting a Category 3 open fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1 888 797-1717. A poster explaining the different categories of open fires is available online: http://ow.ly/jdO5301kS32.

People who do open burning should use caution and be aware of local conditions that might impact their ability to burn safely and control their open fires. Anyone who lights an open fire must also comply with B.C.'s air quality control legislation. Check the local venting index by calling 1 888 281-2992 or visiting: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/venting.html.

The BC Wildfire Service urges people to take the following precautions with any allowed outdoor burning:

• Ensure that enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and stop it escaping.
• 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 leaving the area for any length of time.

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.