09/29/2026
For immediate release
Sept. 29, 2026
Open burning permitted in the Cariboo Fire Centre
WILLIAMS LAKE – Effective at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Pacific Time on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, the Category 2 and 3 open fire prohibition will be rescinded for the Cariboo Fire Centre.
Specifically, the rescindment refers to the following types of open fires:
Category 2 open fire:
One or two concurrently burning piles no larger than two metres high by three metres wide
Stubble or grass burning over an area of less than 0.2 hectares in size
Category 3 open fire:
Any fire larger than two metres high by three metres wide
Three or more concurrently burning piles each no larger than two metres high by three metres wide
The burning of stubble or grass over an area greater than 0.2 hectares
The burning of one or more windows.
In addition to Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibitions being rescinded, the following equipment and activities are also now permitted:
Air curtain burners
Carbonizers
Binary exploding targets
Fireworks, as define in the Fireworks Act
Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description, except when used for a Category 1 campfires as defined in the Wildfire Regulation
Controlled air incinerators.
The rescindment of this prohibition applies to all areas in the Cariboo Fire Centre that are outside of municipal boundaries. In addition, this rescindment applies to the following types of land within municipal boundaries:
• Parks, conservancies and recreation areas (Park Act);
• Recreation sites, recreation trails, interpretive forest sites and trail-based recreation areas (Forest and Range Practices Act);
• Ecological reserves (Ecological Reserve Act);
• Wildlife management areas (Wildlife Act); and
• Private managed forest land (Private Managed Forest Land Act).
Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must obtain a burn registration number prior to burning. Registration numbers are available by calling 1-888-797-1717 or emailing [email protected].
Anyone who lights a Category 2 or 3 open fire must also comply with B.C.’s Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations and check the local venting index online or by calling 1 888 281-2992.
Before lighting a fire of any size, always check with your local government authority (municipality, First Nations, etc.) as they may have their own restrictions in place. More information on open burning is available on the BC Wildfire Service website.
More information on Category 2 open fire safety:
https://e1.envoke.com/ext/click/go/d1870c09211b64b52bc615ccfe660b2c/47228f0162c1740a9806abc09c1b003e/e6c7ecfe7f30c518a0350a9fb81cd015
More information on Category 3 open fire safety:
https://e1.envoke.com/ext/click/go/d1870c09211b64b52bc615ccfe660b2c/3901916ebf5ec4d781d6abc09c1b0cd2/e6c7ecfe7f30c518a0350a9fb81cd015
Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from naturally caused fires. Always practice safe, responsible open fire use.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
Stay up-to-date on the latest BC Wildfire news on:
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Contact
Fire Information Officer
Cariboo Fire Centre | BC Wildfire Service
778 799-2100
[email protected]
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect
The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their dis...
