Open burning ban lifted in northwestern B.C.

As cooler weather returns, an open burning ban in northwestern B.C. was lifted on Tuesday according to the BC Wildfire Service.

In a post on X, the service explains the change took effect at noon.

“Although the wildfire risk has been greatly reduced, please continue to exercise caution with any outdoor burning and campfire use,” it stated.

All open burning is now permitted throughout the Northwest Fire Centre as of noon today. Although the wildfire risk has been greatly reduced, please continue to exercise caution with any outdoor burning and campfire use. More info: https://t.co/bobcE6F4d6 #BCWildfire pic.twitter.com/3EwdSXwXIc

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) October 3, 2023

The lifting of this ban has happened in stages, as the service lifted Category 1 campfire regulations across the Northwest Fire Centre on Sept. 27. Category 2 and 3 fires — which cover fires over two metres high and three metres wide — were no longer prohibited in most of the Northwest Fire Centre on the same day, with the exception of the Nadina Fire Zone — which covers Burns Lake and Houston, B.C.

Data from the BC Wildfire Service shows the Northwest Fire Centre currently has 68 fires within burning within its jurisdiction. The area has seen 276 wildfires this year, scorching an estimated total of 174,789 hectares of land.

Related articles:

• 2023 B.C. wildfire costs ‘highest ever’, finance minister says

• B.C. lifts coastal campfire ban early

• Wildfire concerns grow amid wind event in northern B.C.

Looking elsewhere in the province, open burning classified as category 2 and 3 fires are still prohibited in the Cariboo Fire Centre, Kamloops Fire Centre, and Prince George Fire Centre — which has seen significantly more wildfire activity than any other region in B.C. this season.