A ban on campfires on Vancouver Island will be lifted Tuesday.
The B.C. Wildfire Service announced Monday that the current campfire prohibition will be lifted in all regions of the Coastal Fire Centre, which includes Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and the Lower Mainland, on Sept. 20 at 12 p.m.
Additionally, the use of tiki and similar kinds of torches, chimineas, as well as outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating will now be permitted.
However, larger open fires — Category 2 and Category 3 type fires — remain prohibited, including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and burn cages, until Oct. 28.
“Although the fire danger has declined in the Coastal Fire Centre due to recent rainfall and cooler, more seasonal temperatures, the public is strongly encouraged to continue exercising extreme caution with any campfire. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations. Before lighting any fire, check with local government authorities to see if any local burning restrictions are in place,” The B.C. Wildfire Service said in a statement.
There have been 174 active wildfires in the province over the past two days, including 46 in the Coastal Fire Centre, according to the B.C. Wildfire Dashboard.
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