BC Ministry of Forest warning campers, travelers of increased wildfire risk

The Canada Day long weekend is here and BC’s Ministry of Forests is warning campers and travelers to keep safe when starting campfires.

Campfires and Category 2 open fires are permitted in the Southeast Fire Centre, but Category 3 burns remain banned.

That’s not the same story across the province, as all other territories have banned Category 2 open burning, while campfires are banned in the Prince George Fire Centre and some areas of the Coastal and Northwest Fire Centres.

Even though campfires are allowed locally, the Ministry warns that summer temperatures combined with drought conditions have increased the potential for wildfires.

More than 566 wildfires have started in BC this summer, burning more than 960 thousand hectares of land.