Although campfires are once again allowed in some areas of the Northwest Fire Centre, a campfire ban is still in effect in the 亚洲天堂 Lake area until further notice.
The combination of precipitation and a return to cooler, seasonal temperatures in northern and coastal portions of the Northwest Fire Centre has reduced the fire danger rating in most of these areas to 鈥渓ow鈥� or 鈥渕oderate.鈥�
However, given that some parts of the region remain dry and the wildfire risk in these areas is still high, the campfire prohibition will remain in effect within the Nadina Forest District - which includes 亚洲天堂 Lake, Houston, Topley, Granisle and communities around Francois Lake.
According to Olivia Pojar, information officer for the Northwest Fire Centre, the prohibition on campfires in the Nadina Forest District is expected to remain in place until Oct. 20, 2017. However, the decision to implement or remove a prohibition on open burning is evaluated on a daily basis and is dependent on weather conditions.
鈥淭here is no way to provide a factual expectation of the duration of an open burning prohibition, other than speculation,鈥� she said. 鈥淔actors that go into the decision-making process are fire activity, current and forecasted weather conditions, fuel type, the impact on recreational activities and the response capacity for the area.鈥�
On Aug. 23, 2017, campfires were once again allowed in some areas of the Northwest Fire Centre, including the Skeena Stikine Forest District (which includes Smithers) and the Coast Mountain Forest District (which includes Prince Rupert). However, category two and three open fires will remain prohibited in these areas until further notice.
The 2017 B.C. wildfire season is now considered the worst on record. According to Pojar, September is still an active month in terms of wildfire activity in B.C. This is due to the fact that forest fuels have had a few months of warm weather to dry out. In addition, the prevalence of lightning often increases later in the summer.
The fire danger rating oscillated between 鈥渓ow鈥� and 鈥渉igh鈥� in the 亚洲天堂 Lake area last week. According to Environment Canada, the Lakes District area is expected to see above normal temperatures in September and October.
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
