Prince George, B.C. –  The new  fire season  budget doesn’t kick in until  April 1st, but  the Cariboo Fire Centre has already  faced more than a dozen  fires in the past month.

Since March 1st,  thirteen fires have burned 42 hectares in the Cariboo Fire Centre, all were human caused and  were the result of  grass burning or pile burning.

Because of the dry conditions in that region,  the Cariboo Fire Centre  is prohibiting Category 2 and Category 3 fires, as of noon today.

The Cariboo Fire Centre stretches from Loon Lake near Clinton in the south to the Cottonwood River near Quesnel in the north and from Tweedsmuir Provincial Park in the west to Wells Gray Provincial Park in the east.

The Northwest Fire Centre   which includes the Smithers area has also issued an advisory  calling on the public to exercise caution because of dry  conditions.

The situation in the Prince George fire centre is not as dry.   Typically, the driest areas at this time of year are in the  region  around Vanderhoof,  the Peace and Fort Nelson.   Despite the early spring and rapid melt, the Priince George Fire Centre has not yet had to  issue any  fire  bans.

This is a good time of year for people to consult the newly updated Homeowner’s FireSmart Manual to learn about reducing wildfire hazards on private property.  The manual can be accessed by clicking here.

Anyone igniting a fire outdoors must watch for changing weather conditions and ensure that enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and prevent it from escaping.  The public is urged to follow all burning regulations. Before conducting a burn, people should also check with their local fire department, municipality and regional district to find out if any burning restrictions or bylaws are in effect.

Anyone planning to do any large-scale industrial burning, burn more than two piles of any size or conduct a grass burn larger than 0.2 hectares (Category 3 fires), must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1 888 797-1717. Burn registration numbers are available free of charge.