INFORMATION LETTER #OGC 99-03
January 25, 1999
SUBJECT: OPEN FIRE APPROVALS
Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Regulation
The Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Regulation under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act has been amended to eliminate the requirements for burning permits. This will reduce the administrative burden on industry clients and the Ministry of Forests. The amendments to the Regulation come into effect on February 1, 1999.
Eight categories of open fires have been defined in the amended regulation. Of particular interest to the petroleum industry are the fire classifications: "small open fires" and "large open fires". The fire categories of primary concern to the petroleum industry are as follows:
Category 1 Open Fire: a small open fire for waste material. Small open fires are those which burn accumulations of waste material that do not exceed 2 m in height and 3 m in diameter or width. Section 23.1 of the regulation defines the technical procedure for conducting the burn. No burning permit or burning reference number is required.
Category 3 Open Fire: a large open fire more than 50 m from combustible material. Large open fires are those in which burn accumulations of waste material may exceed 2 m in height, and 3 m in diameter or width
. In place of the burning permit, a burning reference number must be obtained by phoning (888) 797-1717 (toll-free). Section 23.3 of the regulation defines the technical procedure for conducting the burn.Category 5 Open Fire: a large open fire less than 50 m from combustible material. Large open fires are those in which burn accumulations of waste material may exceed 2 m in height, and 3 m in diameter or width. In place of the burning permit, a burning reference number must be obtained by
phoning (888) 797-1717 (toll-free). Section 23.5 of the regulation defines the technical procedure for conducting the burn.The burning reference number office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on holidays. The following information must be provided to obtain a burning reference number:
(i) the name, address, phone number and facsimile number of the person who is lighting,
fueling or making use of an open fire;
(ii) the legal description of the proposed burn area;
(iii) information necessary to determine the category of the proposed open fire;
(iv) any other information relating to the proposed open fire that the person answering
the telephone number requires.
If a designated forest official has issued a public notice stating that winter burning conditions are in effect for a specific area, then the technical requirements for burning large open fires presented in Sections 23.3 and 23.5 are waived. However, a burning reference number is still required.
Winter burning status information may be obtained from the Prince George Fire Centre at (250) 565-6124, or through any of the Ministry of Forests district offices, including Fort St. John (250) 787-5600; Fort Nelson (250) 774-3936; or Dawson Creek (250) 784-1200.
Details of the Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Regulation can be obtained through the Internet at the following Ministry of Forests website:
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/tasb/legsregs/fpc/fpcaregs/ffirepre/ffpasr1.htm#25-1
Paper copies of the regulation may be purchased through Crown Publications at (250) 386-4636.
The Commission strongly recommends that the Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Regulation be read before any burning operation is conducted.
For further information on the Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Regulation, please contact:
| Jim Price Team Leader, Fire Prevention and Detection Fire Management Section, Protection Branch Operations Division Ministry of Forests Victoria, British Columbia Phone: (250) 356-5402 |
Mike Sagenschneider North Field Operations Supervisor Compliance and Enforcement Branch Oil and Gas Commission Fort St. John, British Columbia Phone: (250) 261-5758 |
(signed by)
David P. Porter
Commissioner
MPBBA/MPBAA
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