Tahsis Living: September 2023

PARKSVILLE—The (Category 1) campfire prohibition and the Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibition will be lifted in the Coastal Fire Centre starting at 12:00 noon, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), on Wednesday, September 27, 2022. This means that all open burning will once again be permitted within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.

Other activities which were previously banned, but will now be permitted include:

The use of tiki and similar kinds of torches
The use of chimineas
The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating
Fireworks, including firecrackers
Sky Lanterns
Binary Exploding Targets
Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
Air Curtain Burners

Regarding Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, this change will allow the following activities:

"category 2 open fire" which means an open fire, other than a campfire, that

burns material in one pile not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width,
burns material concurrently in 2 piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width, or
burns stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 ha.

"category 3 open fire" which means an open fire that burns

material concurrently in 3 or more piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width,
material in one or more piles each exceeding 2 m in height or 3 m in width,
one or more windrows, or
stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 ha.

For a map of Fire Centre boundaries, please visit: https://ow.ly/bIgt50PPMgF

A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online:openburningregs_2022update.pdf

Although fire danger ratings have declined in the region due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the public is strongly encouraged to continue exercising extreme caution with any campfire. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations. Before lighting any fire, check with local government authorities to see if any local burning restrictions are in place.

Reminders about campfires:

A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide;
Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly, and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material;
Maintain a fireguard around your campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil;
Never leave a fire unattended;
Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires. Always practice safe, responsible fire use where permitted.

To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
Check with your local government or other jurisdictional authorities before lighting a fire of any size since they may have their own restrictions in place.

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