As of noon today, there will be a ban on all open fires no bigger than two metres high by three metres wide, or grass burning of less than 0.2 hectares.
It doesn’t apply to campfires smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
The fire ban is going into effect nearly a month later than it did last year on May 12.
To help prevent future human-caused fires, the ban covers all B.C. parks and Crown and private lands.
Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from the campfire area and they must have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire.
Ensure that the fire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
This ban applies to:
- the burning of stubble or grass fires over an area less than 2,000 square metres
- the use of fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns and tiki torches
- burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description
- the use of binary exploding targets (e.g., for rifle target practice)
- the use of air curtain burners (forced-air burning systems)
The ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.
Defying the ban comes with a hefty $1,150 fine and could even net jail time with a court conviction.
This prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 20, 2017, or until the public is otherwise notified.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca
