The Coastal Fire Centre is encouraging the public to exercise caution when doing any outdoor burning.
Open burning restrictions will be in place later this spring, so now is a good time for residents to clean up their yards.
Almost all wildfires that start at this time of year are human-caused and are therefore preventable. Homeowners and industry personnel are encouraged to visit the Wildfire Management Branch website (www.bcwildfire.ca/Prevention), consult the B.C. FireSmart manual and take the following precautions:
- Ensure that enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and prevent it from escaping.
- Do not burn during windy conditions. Weather conditions can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.
- Create a fireguard at least one metre around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material.
- If you are planning a large burn, consider conducting smaller burns around the perimeter beforehand to create a fuel break and help stop the fire from spreading beyond its intended size. Each of these fires should be kept small and must be completely extinguished before starting a new fire.
- Never leave a fire unattended and make sure that your fire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area.
Before conducting a burn, check with your local fire department, municipality and regional district to see if any open burning restrictions or bylaws are in effect. If you are planning to do any large-scale industrial burning or conduct a grass burn over 0.2 hectares (Category 3 fires), you must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time by calling 1-888-797-1717. Always check the venting conditions before conducting an open burn. The venting index can be found at: http://www.bcairquality.ca/readings/ventilation-index.htmlUp-to-date information on open fire bans can be obtained online at www.bcwildfire.ca or by calling 1 888 3-FOREST.
In British Columbia, the Wildfire Act specifies a person’s legal obligations when using fire in or within one kilometre of forest land or grassland. If an outdoor burn escapes and causes a wildfire, the person responsible may be held accountable for damages and fire suppression costs.