Wildfires across the Coastal Fire Centre as of Sept. 17. Credit: BC Wildfire Service.
The B.C. government is lifting its open burning ban in the Coastal Fire Centre at noon on Wednesday.
The decision is due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, which has reduced the risk of wildfires throughout the region.
All open fires will be permitted after 12 p.m. on Sept. 19, as will the use of tiki torches, burn barrels, fireworks, sky lanterns and binary exploding targets. However, the government said anyone planning an open burn should be aware of local conditions and should control their fires.
Anyone who lights an open fire has to comply with B.C.’s air-quality control legislation. The government also recommends the following precautions:
- Ensure that enough people, water and tools are on hand to control the fire and stop it escaping.
- Do not burn in windy conditions. The weather can change quickly and wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.
- Create a fire guard around the planned fire site by clearing away twigs, grass, leaves and other combustible material right down to the soil.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Make sure that your fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
Local governments may still have burning restrictions in place, so people are asked to check with local authorities before lighting a fire of any size.
Anyone lighting a larger Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1 888 797-1717. A Category 3 fire is a fire that burns material more than two metres high or three metres wide, or stubble or grass over 2,000 square metres, or more than two piles of any size.
The Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the areas 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.
The campfire ban in the Coastal Fire Centre was lifted was Sept. 11.
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