With spring officially here and warmer weather on the way, the B.C. Wildfire Service is reminding the public and private forest sector to check their winter burn piles.
In a release from the Cariboo Fire Centre, they said they are specifically asking anyone who ignited a burn pile in the fall or this winter to double-check the site for any lingering embers or hot spots. Fires can smoulder underground for months and reignite as temperatures rise, snow recedes and the forest dries out.
By ensuring your fires are fully extinguished, the Cariboo Fire Centre said you can prevent potential flare-up fires which are especially dangerous in warm, dry and windy conditions. During the spring, conditions can be extremely dry, especially in the period between the snow melting and fresh spring growth greening up vegetation. Even after rainfall, these plants can still dry quickly creating a fire hazard.
Beyond safety concerns, the Cariboo Fire Centre also noted any burn piles and open fires still burning after their registration number has expired, or if a new burn prohibition is in effect, would not be in compliance. This means public or private parties could be found in violation of the Wildfire Act and Regulations.
If a flare-up wildfire did result from an old burn pile, the person who set the fire may be required to pay for all firefighting costs and related expenses. This is in addition to any fines potentially resulting from damage to Crown resources.
Violating an open fire prohibition can result in a $1,150 fine, an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, up to $100,000 and or being sentenced to a year in jail.
As of the publication of this article, there are no open fire restrictions of any kind in the Cariboo Fire Centre. In 2024 the Cariboo Fire Centre instigated a Category 2 and Category 3 fire ban in late March in the face of drought conditions.
