The Kamloops Fire Centre, which includes the North Thompson, is advising that strong winds are forecast to sweep across the region today and tomorrow. The BC Wildfire Service is urging members of the public and industry personnel to exercise extreme caution when conducting any outdoor burning and consider postponing burning if feasible.
Moderate gusty surface winds are expected as the result of a surface trough across the region. Winds will be 20-30 kilometres per hour with gusts up to 50 to 60 kilometres per hour. The winds are expected to remain moderate to strong through the night and should become light to moderate tomorrow.
The BC Wildfire Service is urging members of the public to not conduct any open burning until the windy conditions pass.
“Wind can cause grass fires to spread very quickly,” says a BC Wildfire Service advisory, “It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe manner and is in accordance with regulations. Before lighting any fire, it is advised to monitor the upcoming weather forecast and check with your local governments to see if any local burning restrictions are in place.”
Anyone conducting an outdoor burn must adhere to the following precautions:
• Ensure that adequate resources are on hand to control the fire and stop it from spreading;
• Never burn in windy conditions. Weather conditions can change quickly, and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires;
• Create an appropriately sized fireguard around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material, right down to the mineral soil;
• Never leave a fire unattended;
• Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time
A poster explaining the different categories of open burning and applicable regulations is available online: http://www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs
Anyone wishing to light a Category 3 open fire must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time by calling 1-888-797-1717. A burn registration number is not required to light a Category 2 open fire.
For more information regarding the Ventilation Index and Open Burning and Smoke Control Regulations, please visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/air-pollution/smoke-burning/ventilation-index
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, please call 1 800 663-5555
toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
You can follow the latest B.C. wildfire news:
on Twitter: twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
on Facebook: facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo