Restrictions on campfires and open fires across the Southeast Fire District have been lifted as of October 15, 2012, due to a reduced risk of wildfires.

While the rescinding of this prohibition applies to all Crown, BC Parks and private land, land within municipal boundaries must still follow municipal bylaws with regards to open fires. Anyone lighting a fire is asked to contact civic authorities for any restrictions before lighting a fire.

Anyone looking to light a category 3 fire (a fire that burns: material piled up more than two metres in height or three metres in width, grass over 2,000 square metres or more than two piles of any size) must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1-888-797-1717 and must comply with air quality control legislation.

The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east. This includes the Selkirk and Rocky Mountain districts.

Report a wildfire or unattended campfire by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to http://www.bcwildfire.ca. You can also follow the latest wildfire news on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/BCGovFireInfo or Facebook http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo.