http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/News.asp Ministry of Forests and Range: Wildfire Management Branch Copyright 2009, Province of British Columbia en-ca Thu, 18 May 2012 14:45:00 PST http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=1881
In many areas, the grass is still dry and cured, which creates the potential for an open burn to escape and turn into a wildfire.

• Keep your backyard burn or campfire under control by ensuring that enough people, water and tools are on hand to keep the fire contained.
• Never leave your fire unattended and make sure that it is completely extinguished before leaving the area.
• Everyone conducting an open burn is responsible for ensuring that conditions are appropriate for burning.
• Although the Northwest Fire Centre currently does not have open fire prohibitions in place, always check with your municipal or local government to see if they have burning restrictions in effect.
• Individuals may be held accountable for fire suppression costs if their fire escapes.
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During the prescribed burn, smoke and flames may be visible from locations near Topley and along Highway 16. Trained wildfire crews will be on site to carefully monitor the fire's progress.

The burn will proceed only if weather conditions are ideal for quick smoke dissipation and a low-intensity fire. The goal is to mimic a naturally occurring fire to remove dead and combustible material and discourage insect infestations. It will also help fire-adapted plant species reproduce, such as grasses that thrive in newly cleared areas or trees whose seeds are only released when exposed to heat.

Reducing forest fuel levels also helps limit the risk of catastrophic wildfires.


Quick Facts:

• Prescribed burning is used as an ecosystem management tool.

• Fire is a normal, natural process in many of British Columbia's ecosystems. Many species of plants, birds, insects and animals depend on fire for its regenerative properties.

• Fire helps control insects and the spread of disease in forests. It also contributes to forest succession, as younger trees replace older trees. Having trees of various ages in a forest helps maintain biodiversity.

• Prescribed burning is one of the tools used by forest professionals to achieve land-management objectives. For example, fire can be used to enhance habitat and improve forage for cattle, deer, bighorn sheep and moose.

• A controlled burn can also reduce fuel loads (combustible material such as underbrush and dead wood) and reduce the risk of wildfire in interface areas (where urban development borders on rural areas).

• The size and intensity of prescribed burns are carefully planned and controlled to meet management objectives for fire-maintained ecosystems. Prescribed burns are only ignited when weather conditions are favourable and when the fire will not create excessive smoke. Important factors that are used to determine the date of a burn include the venting index, temperature, humidity and wind conditions.

• The venting index is a measure of how quickly smoke will disperse under specific conditions. Prescribed fires may only be ignited on days when the forecast for the venting index is appropriate.

• All prescribed burns must comply with the Environmental Management Act's open burning smoke control regulation, which helps minimize the amount of smoke generated.

• A prescribed burn is ignited and continuously monitored by trained firefighting crews to ensure that the fire does not get out of control. The fire crew supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the initial burn conditions are favourable and that the fire is extinguished once the prescribed burn is completed.
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Always take the following precautions:

• Check with the Wildfire Management Branch, local government and civil authorities for any current burning bylaws or fire restrictions.
• Create a fireguard at least one metre around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material.
• Do not let the spread of the fire dictate how big it becomes. Determine the fire's size and perimeter before you begin burning.
• Avoid large concentrations of fuel in a small area by making sure that the materials you are burning are spread out evenly.
• If you are planning a large burn, consider conducting smaller burns around the perimeter beforehand to create a fuel break and help stop the fire from spreading beyond its intended size. Each of these fires should be kept small and must be completely extinguished before starting a new fire.
• Do not burn during windy conditions. Weather conditions can change quickly and carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Ensure that enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and prevent it from escaping.
• A fire should not be lit near buildings, trees or other combustible material.
• If conducting an open burn near fence posts, power poles or other infrastructure, first remove any flammable material from around the posts and burn a small strip around them before igniting the main fire.
• Make sure that your fire is completely extinguished and the embers are cold before you leave the area.

Anyone planning large-scale industrial burn (Category 3) must call 1 888 797-1717 and obtain a burn registration number ahead of time. More information is available at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp

Venting conditions should always be checked before conducting an open burn. If conditions are rated "Poor" or "Fair", open burning is restricted. The venting index can be found at: http://www.bcairquality.ca/readings/ventilation-index.html.

Burning should not be done if local air flow will cause the smoke to negatively affect nearby communities or residences. For more information on the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/reports/agttobsc.html.

In British Columbia, the Wildfire Act specifies a person's legal obligations when using fire on or within one kilometre of forest land or grassland. If an outdoor burn escapes and causes a wildfire, the person responsible may be held accountable for damages and fire suppression costs.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellphone or toll-free to
1 800 663-5555.

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website: www.bcwildfire.ca ]]> Thu, 11 May 2012 15:47:00 PST