With Labour Day long weekend coming up and temperatures soaring, the BC Wildfire Service has sent out an advisory urging British Columbians to take care in the woods.
Anyone planning to spend time outdoors this weekend is encouraged to use caution with any activity that could potentially spark a wildfire.
From April 1 through Sept. 2, 2020, the BC Wildfire Service responded to 586 wildfires throughout the province, 45% of which were human-caused.
Although this year’s wildfire season has been quieter than normal, over 11,000 hectares have burned in B.C. since April 1.
“I hope that everyone enjoys the Labour Day long weekend, while also recognizing that the wildfire season is not over yet,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
Campfires are currently allowed in all areas of the province that fall under the BC Wildfire Service’s jurisdiction. However, people are urged to use caution and keep an ample supply of water nearby to fully extinguish their campfires.
Category 2 and 3 open fires have been prohibited since July 24 in order to reduce wildfire risks as temperatures start to rise on the island.
These bans apply to the following types of fires:
- Category 2 open fire
- the open burning of any material (piled or unpiled) smaller than two metres high
and three metres wide; - the open burning of material concurrently in 2 piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width; or
- burning of stubble or grass fires over an area smaller than 0.2 hectares.
- the open burning of any material (piled or unpiled) smaller than two metres high
- Category 3 open fire
- any fire larger than 2 metres high by 3 metres wide;
- the burning of 3 or more concurrently burning piles no larger than 2 metres high
by 3 metres wide; - the burning of 1 or more windrows; and
- burning stubble or grass over an area greater than 0.2 hectares.
These prohibitions apply to all public and private land, unless specified otherwise like in a local government bylaw. Residents are asked to check with local government authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.
Fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels or burn cages, and air curtain burners are also banned.
It does not prohibit campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, or apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.
However, anyone lighting a campfire is required to maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from around the campfire area, and have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the flames.
Those found defying the ban may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
