The BC Wildfire Service is rescinding all open burning prohibitions in the Southeast Fire Centre as of Wednesday, once again allowing for the full spectrum of open fires.
As of 1:00 pm MST on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, all Category 3 open fires will once again be permitted in the Cranbrook and Invermere fire zones, which encompass the entire East Kootenay Region. As well, Category 3 open burning prohibitions will be lifted to the Boundary fire zone in the West Kootenay.
Although the open burning prohibitions will be dropped on Wednesday, the BC Wildfire Service still encourages safe practices for those planning to conduct open burns in the Southeast Fire Centre.
Those looking to start a burn should still check the local venting index, make sure that the index is “good” on the day of the burn and either “good” or “fair” for the following day.
“Create a fireguard around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material,” added the BC Wildfire Service. “Never leave a fire unattended and make sure the fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.”
Along with meeting all of the equipment requirements for a Category 2 or Category 3 burn, residents need to be following the Ministry of Environment’s Open Burning and Smoke Control Regulations.
Lastly, anyone planning to conduct a Category 3 burn must obtain an active burn registration number by phoning 1-888-797-1717. Burn registration numbers don’t carry any financial cost but are entered into the Open Fire Tracking System, which allows the BC Wildfire Service to monitor and track open burning activities across British Columbia.