The Government of British Columbia has announced that a campfire ban is about to be implemented for the remainder of the summer and into the fall.
Beginning at noon on Wednesday, June 30, all campfires, Category 2 fires and Category 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout B.C.
The fire ban will remain in effect until 12:00 p.m. on October 15, 2021.
The ban on campfires comes on the heels of record-breaking high temperatures across B.C. — including on Vancouver Island — and follows a spring of lower than average precipitation in the southern half of the province. The government also expects the hot, dry conditions to persist in the coming weeks.
“Camping is a long-standing tradition in this province. The B.C. government recognizes that people also enjoy having campfires, so it takes any decision to implement a campfire ban very seriously,” reads a statement from the Province.
According to the Province, a campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
The BC Wildfire Service also notes that it is taking additional precautions and preventative measures including fire warden patrols, fixed-wing aircraft patrols and an active enforcement presence.
In addition to the ban on campfires, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, the Province will also be prohibiting fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels, binary exploding targets, tiki torches, Chimineas and the use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a CSA or ULC
rating.
Anyone caught in violation of the campfire ban may be issued a ticket for $1,150. Additionally, an individual may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
For further fire prevention information and resources, click here.
Graham Cox
