05/01/2026
For immediate release
April 30, 2026
Ministry of Forests
BC Wildfire Service
Public reminded to exercise caution
WILLIAMS LAKE - The Cariboo Fire Centre is urging the public to be cautious with the use of campfires and abide by open burning prohibitions as we move into warmer and drier conditions throughout the coming weeks.
Fuel conditions across the Cariboo Fire Centre reflect a combination of last summer’s drought severity, winter precipitation, and recent warm, dry conditions. With warm and dry conditions and elevated winds expected to persist across the Cariboo region, fuels will continue to dry out, particularly in lower elevations, further elevating wildfire risk.
In the past seven days, we have responded to 14 human-caused wildfires. We ask the public to follow all current open burning prohibitions. Human-caused fires divert critical resources away from preparedness and response to naturally occurring wildfires.
Category 2 and Category 3 prohibitions and all associated activities remain in effect throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre including the Tsilhqot’in (Xeni Gwet’in) Declared Title Area.
While Category 1 campfires are currently permitted within the Cariboo Fire Centre, it is your responsibility to only light a fire when conditions are safe and are expected to remain safe.
If you choose to have a campfire, you must follow Category 1 regulations and ensure your campfire:
Is no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide
Has a fuel break clear of debris and combustible materials
Is not lit during windy or unsafe conditions
Is fully extinguished and cold to the touch before being left unattended
We encourage the public to continue to report any smoke that they observe through the mobile app. Directly from the app you can add photos that will be georeferenced and make it so we can see exactly what you are seeing on the ground. This provides a better picture for our staff that are deploying resources.
More information on the safe use of Campfires can be found here. For more information on the Category 2 and 3 Open Fire Prohibition and a full list of prohibited activities please review the Information Bulletin here.
Penalties
Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000, or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced for up to one year in jail.
If your fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, you may be fined up to $1 million and/or sentenced to up to 3 years in jail, as well as be responsible for all firefighting and associated costs.
Reporting
To report an unattended campfire or open burning violation calling call the RAPP line: 1-877-952-7277 or #7277.
To report illegal fires in a local fire department’s jurisdiction, call 9-1-1.
Dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free to report a wildfire.
Use the Report function in the BC Wildfire App to report a wildfire. Reporting though the app lets you upload images and can be used without service.
Stay in the know
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, prohibitions and restrictions, road closures, and air-quality advisories please visit BCWildfire.ca, the BC Wildfire Map, or use the BC Wildfire app.
Follow the latest wildfire news on:
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BC Wildfire App: available for Apple and Android
Contact
Fire Information Officer
Cariboo Fire Centre | BC Wildfire Service
778 799-2100
CaFCInfo@gov.bc.ca
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect
The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their dis...
