A recent press release from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations stated that effective at noon today (Tuesday, Aug. 30), campfires will once again be allowed throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, except on the southern third of Vancouver Island within the South Island Natural Resource District.
To help protect public safety, campfires remain prohibited in areas south of Hindoo Creek (just north of Buckley Bay), and south of Strathcona Park and Nootka Sound.
However, campfires are still permitted within the “Fog Zone,” a band of land two kilometres wide that runs from Owen Point near Port Renfrew to the district boundary of Port Hardy.
The Lower Mainland and the northern two-thirds of Vancouver Island received rain over the weekend, and much of it fell in areas where the campfire ban is being lifted.
More rain is in the forecast, so members of the public are encouraged to visit: bcwildfire.ca to get the latest information about open fire prohibitions in their area.
The existing Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions within the Coastal Fire Centre remain in place. Category 2 open fires are not permitted within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdictional area. Category 3 open fires are only permitted within Haida Gwaii.
A map showing all current prohibitions in the affected areas is available online at: ow.ly/AlGB303J6nB
A poster explaining the different categories of open fires is available online at: ow.ly/jdO5301kS32
The use of fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description, or the use of binary exploding targets, is also prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdictional area.
The prohibitions cover all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands within the Coastal Fire Centre, but do not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has wildfire prevention bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department. Local governments may have their own burning restrictions in place, so always check with local authorities before lighting any fire of any size.
These prohibitions do not apply to CSA-rated or ULC-rated cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation 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 to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
The Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the area west of the height of land on the Coast Mountain Range from the U.S.-Canada border at Manning Park, including Tweedsmuir South Provincial
Park in the north, the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: bcwildfire.ca
You can also follow the latest wildfire news on:
Twitter at: twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
Facebook at: Facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo
