Campfire ban coming for B.C.’s Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island this week

 

A campfire ban will take effect across much of the Coastal Fire Centre later this week, according to a B.C. Wildfire Service spokesperson.

Fire information officer Kimberly Kelly told CTV News on Tuesday that the Category 1 fire ban will take effect Thursday at noon for all areas of the Coastal Fire Centre except the mid-coast and Haida Gwaii.

The Coastal Fire Centre encompasses the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and other coastal areas of the province as far north as Bella Coola. 

A Category 1 fire is defined as a campfire no larger than half a metre wide by half a metre high.

Bans on larger Category 2 and 3 open burning have been in place for most of the Coastal Fire Centre since the end of May.

Campfire bans imposed by the wildfire service typically apply to areas outside of municipal control. Municipalities have the authority to implement their own fire prevention rules within their boundaries.

Open fires are the largest source of human-caused fires in B.C., according to the wildfire service. Bans on open burning are implemented to reduce the likelihood of human-caused fires during times when an increase in lightning-caused fires is anticipated.

“Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000, or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced for up to one year in jail,” the wildfire service says on its website.

“If your fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, you may be fined up to $1 million and/or sentenced to up to three years in jail, as well as be responsible for all firefighting and associated costs.”