Please be advised that the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is sharing this important fire prohibition information on behalf of the BC Wildfire Service.
These prohibitions are enacted and enforced by the BC Wildfire Service, not the PRRD. The PRRD urges all residents and visitors to adhere to this important fire prohibition implemented by the BC Wildfire Service to help protect our communities and natural resources.
Prohibition on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires
The BC Wildfire Service will implement an Open Fire Prohibition for parts of the Prince George Fire Centre, effective at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday, May 16, 2025.
This prohibition does not apply to Category 1 (campfires) that are a half-metre high by half-metre wide or smaller, or the use of cooking stoves that utilize gas, propane, or briquettes.
This prohibition directly impacts the entire Peace River Regional District, as it includes the Peace Forest Districts.
The following types of open burning are prohibited:
- Category 2 Open Fires: This includes:
- 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 burning over an area less than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres).
- Category 3 Open Fires: This includes:
- 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 burning over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres).
In addition to open burning, the following activities and equipment are also prohibited:
- Fireworks
- Sky lanterns
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size
- Binary exploding targets
This prohibition will remain in effect until 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, October 15, 2025, or until the order is officially rescinded by the BC Wildfire Service.
Where this prohibition applies within the PRRD:
This prohibition applies to all areas within the Peace Forest Districts that are outside of municipal boundaries. It also applies to the following types of Crown land within municipal boundaries:
- Parks, conservancies, and recreation areas (Park Act)
- Recreation sites, trails, and interpretive forest sites (Forest and Range Practices Act)
- Ecological reserves (Ecological Reserve Act)
- Wildlife management areas (Wildlife Act)
- Private managed forest land (Private Managed Forest Land Act)
Why this prohibition is in place:
The BC Wildfire Service has implemented this prohibition due to multiple factors, including the high grass fire hazard, persistent drought conditions, and an increased incidence of human-caused wildfires associated with Category 2 and Category 3 open burning. The goal is to prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
Individuals who violate this open fire prohibition may face significant penalties, including fines up to $1,150, administrative penalties up to $10,000, or court convictions with fines up to $100,000 and/or one year in jail. If a prohibited fire causes a wildfire, the responsible individual may be held accountable for all firefighting costs and damages to Crown resources. More information can be found in the Wildfire Act and Regulation online.
Report Wildfires or Violations:
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, please call 1-800-663-5555 (toll-free) or *5555 on a cell phone, or use the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.
Stay informed
For the latest wildfire news, please follow the BC Wildfire Service through the following channels:
- BCWS Mobile App: Available for Apple and Android devices.
- X (formerly Twitter)
Contact:
For further information, please contact the Prince George Fire Centre Information Officer at 250-561-4629 or INFOPG@gov.bc.ca.
