The Columbia Shuswap Regional District is urging caution around open burning after firefighters responded to burns that “got away from property owners.”
In a post shared via social media on Monday, April 22, the CSRD said firefighters were called out a few times over the weekend to assist with open-burning activities. The regional district warned conditions are already very dry and it can be easy for a fire to get out of control.
“While open burning in the Shuswap and Columbia regions has not been restricted by the Province at this time, CSRD Fire Services want to remind residents to use extreme caution when burning brush piles,” reads the post.
“Remember, it is free to dispose of small loads of residential yard and garden waste at all CSRD landfills and transfer stations.”
On March 28 a prohibition of Category 2 and 3 open fires came into effect in the Cariboo and Prince George fire centres, and across the Bulkley and Nadina fire zones in the North Fire Centre.
As of April 22, there were 119 active wildfire in the province, including a spot fire southwest of Vernon reported on April 21 that is now under control. Also under control is the Cooney Bay wildfire west of Kamloops. Discovered on April 20, the fire grew to an estimated 6.3 hectares.
Read more: UPDATE: B.C. interior wildfires being held