Much of the Peace Region to be placed under open burning ban Friday

Ongoing fire suppression challenges continue to pop up in the Fort Nelson zone of the Prince George Fire Centre due to drought conditions hamper the Peace Region.

Wildfires that smouldered underground in the winter months are re-emerging as temperatures rise.

Fire Information Officer, Pedro Roldan-Delgado told Vista Radio the impacts of the 2024 wildfire season are still being felt.

“There is nothing endangering any communities or anything out of hand at the moment. What may be problematic is just the terrain that the crews are seeing so there is going to be a lot of blow down and with the dust layers it burns really deep and is a slow process in combating these overwintering fires.”

With that being said, crews still aren’t taking any chances regarding road access.

“Currently, the priorities are the ones that are adjacent to Highway 77 as well as any other fires that are in that area.”

“In the next couple of days or weeks we might see our activity increase. It could be over wintering fires in the north Peace area or it could be some newer fires because of how warm it is in the centre.”

As of Noon on Friday, Category 2 and 3 open burning will be banned in the Fort Nelson and Peace River Districts, which also include Dawson Creek and Fort St. John.

A Category 2 open fire, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation, refers to any fire that burns:

• One pile of material not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide
• Two piles of material, each not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide
• Stubble or grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres)

A Category 3 open fire, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation, refers to any fire that burns:

• Three or more piles of material, each not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide
• Any pile of material larger than 2 metres high or 3 metres wide
• Windrows not exceeding 200 metres in length and 15 metres in width
• Stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres)

The following activities and use of the following equipment, materials and substances are also prohibited:

• Fireworks
• Sky lanterns
• Burn barrels or burn cages of any size
• Binary exploding targets

However, that are a half-metre high by half-metre wide or smaller, or the use of cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes are still allowed.

Individuals who violate the open fire prohibition may face fines of up to $1,150, administrative penalties of up to $10,000, or court convictions with fines up to $100,000 and/or one year in jail.