Open Fire Prohibition in Effect in the Prince George Forest District Starting May 5, 2026

Please be advised that the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is sharing this important fire prohibition information on behalf of the BC Wildfire Service. 
 
These prohibitions are enacted and enforced by the BC Wildfire Service, not the PRRD. The PRRD urges all residents and visitors to adhere to this important fire prohibition implemented by the BC Wildfire Service to help protect our communities and natural resources. 

Prohibition on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires

The BC Wildfire Service will implement an open fire prohibition in the Prince George Forest District (which includes the Peace River Regional District), except areas within municipal boundaries, effective Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 12 pm until Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 12 pm, or until the order is rescinded. 

This prohibition does not apply to Category 1 (campfires) that are a half-metre high by half-metre wide or smaller, or the use of cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. 

The following types of open burning are prohibited:

Category 2 Open Fires

This refers to any fire that burns: 

• One pile of material not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide 
• Two piles of material, each not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide 
• Stubble or grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres) 

Category 3 Open Fires

This refers to any fire that burns: 

• Three or more piles of material, each not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide
• Any pile of material larger than 2 metres high or 3 metres wide
• Windrows not exceeding 200 metres in length and 15 metres in width
• Stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres) 

In addition to open burning, the following activities and equipment are also prohibited:

• Binary exploding targets
• Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC
• Burn barrels or burn cages
• Controlled air incinerators
• Air curtain burners
• Carbonizers 

Where this prohibition applies within the PRRD:

This prohibition applies to all areas of the Prince George (which includes the Peace River Regional District) and Stuart Nechako Forest Districts (Prince George, Robson Valley, Vanderhoof and Fort St. James Fire Zones) that are outside municipal boundaries.

It also applies to the following types of Crown land within municipal boundaries:  

• Parks, conservancies, and recreation areas(Park Act) 
• Recreation sites, trails, and interpretive forest sites and trail-based recreation areas (Forest and Range Practices Act) 
• Ecological reserves (Ecological Reserve Act) 
• Wildlife management areas (Wildlife Act) 
• Private managed forest land (Private Managed Forest Land Act)

Check Fire Restrictions Before You Burn  

Before lighting a fire of any size, always check for any BC Wildfire Service open fire prohibitions in your area. Also, be sure to check with your local government for any bylaw restrictions in your area.  

Penalties for non-compliance  

Individuals who violate the open fire prohibition may face fines of up to $1,150, administrative penalties of up to $10,000, or court convictions with fines up to $100,000 and/or one year in jail. If a prohibited fire leads to a wildfire, the individual may be held responsible for the full cost of firefighting and any damage to Crown resources. More information about the Wildfire Act and Regulation is available online.  

Report Wildfires or Violations

To report a wildfire or open burning violation, please call 1-800-663-5555 (toll-free) or *5555 on a cell phone.

Stay Informed

BC Wildfire Service Website

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