Prince George, B.C.- Effective noon today,  Category 2 and Category 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Prince George Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

With the weather calling for  hot dry conditions,  the potential for  human caused wildfires increases.

Anyone conducting a Category 2 or Category 3 open burn anywhere in the Prince George Fire Centre must extinguish any such fire by noon today. This prohibition will remain in effect until Sept. 30, 2017 or until the public is otherwise notified.

Specifically, prohibited activities include:

* 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 torches or fireworks

* the use of stoves and other portable campfire equipment that are not CSA-approved or ULC-approved

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 CSA-approved or ULC-approved cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.

This prohibition applies to all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department. Please check with local government authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.