Outdoor enthusiasts can once again enjoy an integral part of the camping experience as the Prince George Fire Centre has lifted its campfire ban.

The Prince George Fire Centre's jurisdiction stretches from the Yukon and Northwest Territories to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, the Cottonwood River and Robson Valley in the south, and from the Alberta border west to the Skeena Mountains and encompasses all of the Peace Region.

A reprieve from the hot dry weather was the main reason according to PGFC Senior Protection Officer Brent Bye.

“We’ve had enough rain and cool temperatures and it’s forecasted to remain the same so we have rescinded the prohibition,” he said, adding that any fire larger than a campfire, such as fireworks and burning barrels, is still prohibited.

The rescinding of the campfire prohibition applies to all B.C. Parks, Crown and private land, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department.

There have been over 400 fires in the PGFC so far this summer.

“We certainly have had our share. We’ve had somewhere in the neighbourhood of 445 fires in our fire centre,” said Bye. “We haven’t burned more hectares than normal, but we’ve had more fires than usual. We’re a little behind on our 10-year average for area burn but we’re certainly above our 10-year average for the number of fires.”

Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool, such as a shovel, or at least eight litres of water nearby to fully extinguish it. A campfire should never be left unattended, and ashes should be completely cold to the touch before campers leave the area.

Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban may be issued a ticket for $345. Should a wildfire occur as a result of recklessness, a person can be fined up to $1 million or spend three years in prison and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire please call *5555 on a cell or toll-free to 1 800 663-5555.