The Southeast Fire Centre is warning the region to not take wildfire dangers for granted, even if the summer has been unusually calm compared to previous wildfire seasons.
While a new season is just around the corner, the BC Wildfire Service is reminding the public to be cautious with all fire and to be especially cautious in the backcountry.
“We are experiencing still very warm and drying days that do increase that fire risk,” said Ashlene Aktarian, Southeast Fire Centre Fire Information Officer. “Even though we are coming to the end of the season, we’re not quite there yet.”
There are not active wildfires burning the East Kootenay, although burning prohibitions remain in effect.
“We still do have a Category 2 and Category 3 Fire Ban right now for the entire Southeast Fire Centre region and we are constantly reassessing when those bans will be lifted but right now, there’s still prohibitions in place and we’re still in fire season,” Aktarian told MyEastKootenayNow.com.
The Category 2 and Category 3 prohibitions have been in effect since July 29, 2019. Both prohibitions specifically ban the burning of any material larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide, as well as any stubble or grass fires. The use of burn barrels, burn cages, sky lanterns, fireworks, binary exploding targets, and air curtain burners are also prohibited under the fire ban.
Most of the East Kootenay region has a “Low” to “Moderate” Wildfire Danger Rating although some areas still have a “High” risk.
