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BC Wildfire Service - Northwest Fire Centre

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Category 3 open fire prohibition planned for parts of the Northwest Fire Centre

May 7, 2025

Effective at 12:00 PM PDT on Friday, May 9, 2025, the BC Wildfire Service has implemented a prohibition on Category 3 open fires across the Bulkley and Nadina Fire Zones, including the Nadina Forest District and the Skeena portion of the Skeena/Stikine Forest District. This measure aims to mitigate wildfire risks during the dry season and will remain in effect until noon on September 29, 2025, unless rescinded earlier.

What is a Category 3 Open Fire?

A Category 3 open fire involves:

  • Burning material in three or more piles, each not exceeding 2 meters in height and 3 meters in width
  • Burning material in one or more piles exceeding 2 meters in height or 3 meters in width
  • Burning one or more windrows not exceeding 200 meters in length or 15 meters in width
  • Burning stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares

Additional Prohibited Activities:
The use of air curtain burners and carbonizers is also prohibited.

Please view a map of the affected areas below:

Types of Open Fire - Category 3

Areas Affected:
This prohibition applies to all areas outside municipal boundaries and specific Crown lands within municipal boundaries, including:

  • Parks, conservancies, and recreation areas
  • Recreation sites, trails, and interpretive forest sites
  • Ecological reserves
  • Wildlife management areas
  • Private managed forest land

Notably, this includes the Village of Hazelton. Municipalities may align with this prohibition or implement their own restrictions based on local conditions. Residents should check with local authorities for specific regulations.

Penalties for Non-Compliance:

Violating the open burning prohibition may result in:

  • A ticket of $1,150
  • An administrative penalty of up to $10,000
  • If convicted in court, fines up to $100,000 and/or up to one year in jail
  • Liability for all firefighting and associated costs if the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire

Safety Reminder:
The BC Wildfire Service urges anyone who conducted Category 3 burns over the fall or winter to check their burn sites to ensure they are fully extinguished.

Reporting Wildfires:
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

For more information and updates, visit the BC Wildfire Service Website:

Category 3 open fire prohibition planned for parts of the Northwest Fire Centre:

https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category-3-open-fire-prohibition-planned-for-parts-of-the-northwest-fire-centre

Additional Information:

Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions

Open fire and safer burning: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions/open-burning?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Cat-2-%26-3-Prohibition-March-2024&utm_source=Envoke-Envoke&utm_term=

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