Campfires, fireworks, and open fires are effectively prohibited throughout the majority of the province, including the Cariboo.
Chief Fire Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek with BC Wildfire Service, says unprecedented hot and dry conditions have led to this extraordinary step being taken.
“Some record-breaking temperatures particularly in the Interior and Southern Interior, definitely a cause for concern for us from a fire danger perspective coupled with that the last five days we have seen quite a bit of lightning in many areas of the province.”
“Thankfully in some areas that lightning came with some rain, which obviously did dampen the situation a little bit but we still have concerns.”
Skrepnek says the prohibition does not apply to cook stoves that use gas, propane, or briquettes.
One area of the province, known as the “Fog Zone” stretching from Own Point north to the tip of Vancouver Island and around to the boundary of the District of Port Hardy, is exempt from the ban.
The BC Wildfire Service is currently responding to over 150 active fires within the province.