A full ban on open fires is in effect for Nanaimo on Tuesday, a day ahead of the province-wide campfire ban. File photo.
The City of Nanaimo has issued a full ban on open fires Tuesday after a rash of fires lit up the region from Friday onwards.
The fire ban applies to all outdoor fires including campfires, sky lanterns and tiki torches.
Cooking devices like barbeques, smokers and grills fueled by propane, natural gas, naptha, kerosene, charcoal briquettes or electricity will still be allowed, but Nanaimo Fire Rescue says it’s important to ensure briquettes are fully extinguished after use.
“Solid fuel (wood) fires are not permitted because they produce embers. These embers, combined with dry and windy conditions, can be exceptionally dangerous,” said Nanaimo Fire Rescue’s Chief Karen Fry.
The city of Nanaimo said in a release that due to the recent hot and dry weather their resources continuously responding to small accidental fires.
“With hotter weather comes an increased risk of any fire spreading quickly. It’s important for residents to be vigilant in fire safety and to report all fires immediately by calling 911,” said Fry.
BC Wildfire Service’s forest fire danger categorizes the South Island as extremely dangerous for wildfires.
A province-wide heatwave saw temperatures soar for much of the province and even prompted a heat warning from Environment Canada for much of the east and South Island.
The extreme danger is causing regions in the South Island to be especially concerned. On Wednesday Langford will follow Nanaimo by putting into place an open fire ban as well.
As of noon tomorrow, all open burning including campfires will be prohibited. Only the use of a propane campfire, camp stove or BBQ permitted. See https://t.co/zo57umAOgP for more information. pic.twitter.com/DXyEyiGfqj
— Langford Fire Rescue (@LangfordFire) July 17, 2018
A campfire ban in provincial parks, Crown land and private property in the Coastal Fire Zone centre will also go into effect Wednesday. The ban will include the Lower Mainland and most of Vancouver Island, except Haida Gwaii and the north-west coast of the island, also known as the “fog zone”.
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