Cariboo Fire Centre reminding the public to use extreme caution

The Cariboo Fire Centre is currently experiencing a very high level of wildfire activity with a fire danger rating of extreme across the fire centre.

Dryness and extreme heat across the province has raised free dangers to critical levels, and these conditions alongside daily lighting events have reproduced an average of 45 ignitions per day between July 6 and 13 across the province.

The Cariboo Fire Centre is reminding the public that campfires, and Category 2 and 3 fires are prohibited across the province. This ban also includes fireworks, sky lanterns burn barrels or cages, binary exploding targets, tiki and similar kinds of torches chimineas, and outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus.

At this time, the BC Wildfire Service has not implemented any backcountry closures, and all trails and backroads that are not affected by Area Restriction Orders, or are otherwise under municipal or BC Parks jurisdiction, remain open for public use.

Members of the public recreating in the backcountry are reminded to remain vigilant and act responsibly. ATV users are reminded to keep it away from dry areas and make sure a spark arrestor device is installed. Smokers are also reminded to fully extinguish their cigarettes, and dispose of them responsibly.

Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires. Always practice safe, responsible fire use where permitted.

• To report a wildfire, unattended campfire , or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
• Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Files from Darin Bain, MyCaribooNow