Prince George, B.C. – Dry weather conditions have prompted Category 2 and Category 3 open fire bans in the Prince George Fire Centre.

The restrictions will go into effect at noon today with the goals of preventing human-caused wildfires and protecting public safety.  The fire danger rating through most of the PG Fire Centre  is rated as  moderate to high.

As  of last evening,  there were 45 new fires in the Prince George Fire  Centre noted since Monday the 18th.

Many of these fires are burning in the Peace region where 14 fires are estimated to be over 100 hectares in size.

There are six fires of note in the Prince George Fire Centre. Four evacuation alerts or evacuation orders have been put in place by the Peace River Regional District and the District of Hudson’s Hope. Further information can be found at: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca

* The Charlie Lake fire  west of Charlie Lake, near Fort St. John, is estimated at 250 hectares in size. The local fire department is responding. The Peace River Regional District has issued an evacuation order and alert related to this wildfire.

* The South Taylor Hill fire , south of Taylor, B.C., is estimated at 850 hectares in size. BC Wildfire Service firefighters are on site assisting with the local fire department. The Peace River Regional District has issued an evacuation order and alert related to this wildfire.

* The Baldonnel fire  is located five kilometres east of the community of Baldonnel,and  is estimated at 420 hectares in size. Fire activity has significantly decreased and the local fire department is responding to this incident. The Peace River Regional District has issued an evacuation order and alert related to this wildfire.

* The Attachie fire which is located 35 kilometres west of Fort St. John, along Highway 29, is estimated at 500 hectares in size. BC Wildfire Service crews are on site. Travel advisories have been issued along Highway 29.

* The Beaton Airport Road fire which is 45 kilometres north of Fort St. John, is estimated at 4500 hectares in size, although ascertaining an accurate size is difficult due to smoke and poor visibility. Resources are being sent to this incident. No evacuation alerts or orders have been issued at this time.

* The Hudson’s Hope fire is located four kilometres northwest of Hudson’s Hope, and is estimated at 300 hectares in size. BC Wildfire Service crews are on site assisting the local fire department. The District of Hudson’s Hope has issued an evacuation alert related to this wildfire.

Many local roads and highways have been affected by these fires and associated smoke. For up-to-date information on current road closures, visit: www.drivebc.ca

Fire information officer Amanda Reynolds says the bans  that will take effect at noon today will remain in place until the public is otherwise notified.

Prohibited activities will include the following:

– the burning of any waste, slash or other materials

– stubble or grass fires of any size over any area

– the use of burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description

– the use of sky lanterns, tiki toches or fireworks

– the use of stove and other portable campfire apparatuses that are not CSA/ULC approved

She says this prohibition does not ban campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, and it does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.

Reynolds adds anyone found breaking the prohibition will be subject to a $1,150 ticket, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to a year in jail.

If the contravention leads to a wildfire, the guilty party may be responsible for paying all firefighting and related costs.