Campfires are once again permitted throughout Vancouver Island. The Coastal Fire Centre is rescinding its campfire ban due to forecasted cooler and wetter conditions, resulting in a decrease in wildfire risk in the region.
The following activities will now be allowed:
• Campfires, as defined by the wildfire regulation
• Open fires in an outdoor stove
Campfires cannot be larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide. Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool (such as a shovel) or at least eight litres of water available to fully extinguish it. Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure that the ashes are completely cold to the touch before leaving the area.
The following ban still remains in effect: backyard burning, fireworks, sky lanterns and burning barrels.
Anyone found in violation of open-burning prohibition may be issued a ticket of up to $345 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
The Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the area west of the height of land on the Coast Mountain Range north of 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 Fog Zone is two kilometre strip on the outer coast of Vancouver Island, from Owen Point near Port Renfrew, and stretching north to the tip of Vancouver Island wrapping back to the boundary of the District of Port Hardy. The strip stretched inland two kilometres from the high tide point.
The Coastal Fire Centre covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or non-compliant open burning, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or dial *5555 on a cellphone.
