Prince George, B.C. – The  ban on campfires in the Vanderhoof Forest District will be lifted at noon today.

A similar ban  has been lifted in the Smithers region.

This is the first time since early July that  campfires have been  allowed throughout the Prince George Fire Centre  as  the  recent cooler temperatures and rainfall have reduced the  fire danger rating.  The ban  was lifted   last month in many regions,  including the City of Prince George, when  conditions improved, but  the  ban remained in place in the Vanderhoof and Nadina areas.

While campfires will  once again be allowed, the prohibition against open fires larger than a campfire (0.5 metres by 0.5 metres) will remain in effect within the entire Prince George Fire Centre.

A number of  other activities also remain  prohibited:

* Category 2 and Category 3 open fires
* the use of sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, air curtain burners, fireworks, including firecrackers and burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description.

These prohibitions cover all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but do not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department. Always check with local authorities to see if any other burning restrictions are in place before lighting any fire.