Campfire ban lifts on B.C.’s South Coast

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A campfire ban that has been in effect since mid-July on B.C.’s South Coast ended at noon Thursday.

The Coastal Fire Centre of the B.C. Wildfire Service imposed the ban on July 17 for all areas under its jurisdiction within the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

The mid-coast and Haida Gwaii were exempt from the campfire ban.

Bans on larger open burning had been in place since May, but were also partially lifted Thursday.

All Category 1 and Category 2 burning prohibitions have been lifted across the fire centre, and Category 3 open burning is now allowed in the North Island Centre Coast and Haida Gwaii forest districts, according to the Coastal Fire Centre. The prohibition on Category 3 fires elsewhere in the fire centre is scheduled to remain in place through Oct. 31.

Category 1 fires are campfires smaller than half a metre in width and height, while Category 2 fires are open fires less than two metres high and three metres wide. Category 3 fires are are larger industrial burns, in which multiple Category 2 fires are lit simultaneously or a single blaze exceeds the size of a Category 2 burn.

More information on open burning can be found on the B.C. Wildfire Service website.

In a statement on Thursday’s changes, the Coastal Fire Centre urged people considering lighting campfires to check with their local government or other local authorities, as local restrictions supersede the fire centre’s guidance.

“Although fire danger ratings have declined throughout the Coastal Fire Centre as a result of recent rainfall, along with shorter days, longer nights and cooler temperatures, the public is encouraged to continue exercising caution with the use of any open fire,” the fire centre said.

“It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations.”

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