VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C. — Campfires are once again permitted across the Coastal Fire Centre as wildfire conditions improve, but residents and visitors are being reminded that the lifting of the provincial ban does not necessarily mean every community has reopened outdoor burning.
The BC Wildfire Service lifted its Category 1 campfire prohibition at noon on Thursday, September 3, covering the entire Coastal Fire Centre, including Vancouver Island. The decision follows recent rainfall and cooler fall conditions that have reduced wildfire danger across much of the region.
The change will come as welcome news to campers and residents hoping to enjoy a late-season fire.
Campfires are allowed — but bigger fires aren’t
While Category 1 campfires are now permitted under the Coastal Fire Centre’s rules, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited throughout the region, with the exception of the Haida Gwaii Forest District.
Other prohibited activities and equipment include:
Fireworks
Binary exploding targets
Burn barrels and burn cages
Controlled-air incinerators
Air curtain burners
Carbonizers
The restrictions are intended to limit the potential for human-caused wildfires as B.C. moves into the fall season.
Local fire bans can still apply
The provincial announcement does not override restrictions imposed by individual municipalities, parks or other authorities.
That distinction is particularly important on Vancouver Island, where fire conditions can vary considerably from one community to another.
For example, Sooke’s campfire prohibition remains in effect despite the Coastal Fire Centre lifting its Category 1 restriction. The District says local fire danger remains high to extreme and that recent rainfall was not sufficient to reduce the risk enough to lift its municipal prohibition.
Metchosin has also kept its local campfire prohibition in place because of continued high to extreme fire danger.
Residents should therefore check their local fire department or municipal website before starting a fire.
What about Campbell River and North Island communities?
In Campbell River, recreational fires are permitted subject to the city’s local regulations.
The city’s rules allow recreational fires for cooking or providing heat when they are contained in an approved permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or fire pit no larger than 60 centimetres (24 inches) in diameter, or in a fully enclosed burner or similar device. A fire must be supervised and appropriate extinguishing equipment must be readily available.
Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited.
The same principle applies throughout the North Island: provincial restrictions are only part of the picture. Local governments can impose additional restrictions when conditions in their communities warrant them.
Fire safety remains important
The end of the campfire prohibition does not mean wildfire season is necessarily over.
BC Wildfire Service says the decline in fire danger is the result of a combination of recent rainfall, shorter days, longer nights and cooler temperatures. However, officials continue to encourage caution whenever people use an outdoor fire.
Anyone having a campfire should:
Never leave it unattended
Avoid having a fire during windy conditions
Keep water and firefighting tools nearby
Keep the fire contained
Completely extinguish it before leaving
Check for any local restrictions before lighting it
A fire should be completely out and cool to the touch before it is left unattended.
Significant penalties remain for prohibited fires
The consequences for violating an active fire prohibition can be substantial.
A person found contravening an open-burning prohibition can receive a $1,150 violation ticket and may face an administrative penalty of up to $10,000.
If the matter goes to court, a conviction can result in a fine of up to $100,000 and/or up to one year in jail. Anyone whose prohibited fire causes or contributes to a wildfire may also be ordered to pay firefighting and associated costs.
Check before you light
For people across Vancouver Island, the return of campfires is a welcome sign that conditions are beginning to shift toward fall.
But the rules can differ between communities, and conditions can change quickly.
Before lighting a fire, residents should check the latest BC Wildfire Service restrictions as well as local municipal or fire-department rules for their specific location.
Wildfires, unattended campfires and open-burning violations can be reported to 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from a cellphone.
