05/04/2026
An important reminder from the BC Wildfire Service for anyone who has done pile burning over the winter to closely inspect their burn site(s) and make sure any remaining hot spots have been fully extinguished.
It’s possible for winter burn piles to burn deep into the ground and smoulder undetected until they re-emerge at the surface, potentially causing a wildfire.
Even if the spring feels mild, dead grass from last season is dry and can ignite easily. The Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) measures how easily fine surface fuels like grass and needles can catch and carry fire, and spring values are often high. The FFMC varies by region and topography, so conditions across B.C. may not be the same.
When it comes to grass fires, wind matters more than temperature. Wind dries fuels quickly and drives how fast a fire can spread. If it's a windy day, it's not a good day to burn.
Before any open burning:
📱Check whether burning is permitted in your area at gov.bc.ca/fireprohibitions
👀Never leave a fire unattended.
💦Have an adequate water supply and a hand tool, like a shovel, within reach at all times.
👉🏼When you're done, make sure your fire is fully extinguished and cold to the touch.
💻Review gov.bc.ca/saferburning to learn more
