Effective at noon Thursday (July 29), all medium- and large-sized open fires are prohibited within the North Coast and Haida Gwaii forest districts to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. This is in addition to the prohibition on open fire prohibitions elsewhere within the Northwest Fire Centre.Specifically this prohibits burning any waste, slash or other material, and stubble or grass over any area. It also prohibits the use of fireworks or burning barrels of any size or description.The Northwest Fire Centre is currently experiencing dry conditions and elevated fire hazard. To date the centre has responded to 40 fires, 32 of which have been caused by lightning.Although campfires have been prohibited within the Nadina fire zone, the Bulkley fire zone and the old Kalum forest district, this ban does not prohibit campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller within the North Coast and Haida Gwaii forest districts. In these regions cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes are also still allowed. People lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from the campfire area, and must have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water nearby to properly extinguish the fire.The ban now covers the Northwest Fire Centre's entire jurisdiction. A map of the area is available at http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp.Please ensure campfires are not lit or kept burning during windy conditions, that adequate tools, water and people are on hand to contain a fire and that it is fully extinguished before leaving 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 fire fighting and associated costs.The ban will be in place until September 1, or until the public is otherwise notified.To report a wildfire or unattended campfire please call *5555 on your cell or toll-free 1 800 663-5555. For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca. For Facebook and Twitter updates, as well as details about evacuation orders and alerts, road conditions and air quality advisories, go to www.firesafebc.ca