Prince George, B.C.- The Prince George Fire Centre is calling on home owners to be very careful with any outdoor burning this spring. 

The snow has disappeared from many areas, revealing dry, dead grass which can be very flammable. 

The current fire danger rating in the Prince George Fire Centre is low, however, folks are itching to get outdoors and start yard work and clean up activities. With nearly all wildfires at this time of year caused by humans, they are preventable.

The Prince George Fire Centre is asking the public to exercise caution with any outdoor burning activities this spring.  

Homeowners and industry personnel are encouraged to review the FireSmart manual for tips that can help protect your property in the event of a wildfire.  

The manual offers a short assessment of how fireproof your home may be by assessing  everything from the type of roofing materials on your home to the way the “under eaves” are treated.

If there are plans for open burning, there are a number of safety measures that should be taken: 

* Ensure that enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and prevent it from escaping.

* Do not burn during windy conditions. Weather conditions can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.

* Create a fireguard at least one metre around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material.

* If you are planning a large burn, consider conducting smaller burns around the perimeter beforehand to create a fuel break and help stop the fire from spreading beyond its intended size. Each of these fires should be kept small and must be completely extinguished before starting a new fire.

* Never leave a fire unattended. Make sure that your fire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area.