Williams Lake, B.C. – The open burning ban in the Cariboo Fire Centre has been lifted.

This means members of the public will be permitted to burn piles of woody debris as well as stuble or grass.

However homeowners and industry are encouraged to take the following precautions:

– Have enough people, water and tools on hand to prevent the fire from escaping.
– Do not burn in windy conditions.
– Locate the fire site away from buildings, trees and other combustible materials.
– Create a fireguard of at least one metre around the planned fire site by clearing away
twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material.
– Never leave a fire unattended.
– Ensure the fire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before
leaving the area for any length of time.

Fire information officer Emily Epp says anyone who lights, fuels or makes use of an open fire must comply with the Environmental Management Act and Open Burning Control Regulation which requires individuals to check local venting conditions.

You can do so by calling 1-888-797-1717.

She says a burn registration number is required for Category 3 open fires and can be obtained by calling 1-888-797-2992.

A Category 3 fire is a fire that burns material in piles larger than two metres high and three metres wide, or that burns stubble or grass over an area larger than 0.2 hectares.