The Category 2 and 3 fire ban will end in the Coastal Fire Centre starting at noon on Oct. 28.
The two categories of fires have been banned since July 15, and the ban was set to expire on Oct. 28.
Due to the ongoing dry conditions, fire centre officials were considering extending the ban, but were watching the level of rain the region was expected to receive to make the decision.
The ban on campfires was lifted on Sept. 20.
Category 2 fires include burns in one pile not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width, two piles concurrently not exceeding the same height and width, and stubble or grass over an area not exceeding 0.2 hectares.
Category 3 fires include material burning in three or more piles not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width, materials in one or more piles each exceeding two metres in height or three metres in width, one or more windrows, and stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares.
The ban on fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels or burn cages, and air curtain burners will also lift on Oct. 28 at noon.
However, due to the dry conditions, Marg Drysdale, fire information officer with Coastal Fire Centre, says there is full support for municipalities who choose to ban fireworks or bonfires this Halloween.
“We do completely support local municipalities and local governments if they choose to ban fireworks, that it’s up to them,” Drysdale said to CHEK News on Oct. 21. “A lot of them are choosing not to have fireworks for Halloween simply because it is still dry.”
To learn more about the categories of fire, BC Wildfire Centre has provided a poster which can be found here.
If you see a wildfire, you are asked to report it at 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
Laura Brougham
