Skip to content

Help prevent wildfires on the Canada Day long weekend

With the arrival of rising temperatures and drier conditions, wildfire danger ratings are climbing in many parts of British Columbia .
web1_copy_3135851

With the arrival of rising temperatures and drier conditions, wildfire danger ratings are climbing in many parts of British Columbia.

Members of the public are urged to exercise caution and remain vigilant over the Canada Day long weekend to help prevent human-caused wildfires.

From April 1 through June 27, 2017, the BC Wildfire Service responded to 237 wildfires in B.C., 165 of which were caused by people. Human-caused fires are completely preventable and unnecessarily tie up crucial firefighting resources that could be used to deal with naturally occurring wildfires.

Campfires are currently permitted in most parts of the province, including in our Coastal fire centre region. Larger Category 2 open fires are prohibited in the Campbell River region, however, to reduce wildfire risks and protect public safety.

A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs

Local governments might also have their own burning restrictions or bylaws in place, so always

check with local authorities before lighting any fire of any size.

Campfires (where they’re allowed) must not be larger than 0.5 metres high or 0.5 metres wide. Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly and wind may carry embers to other combustible material.

Maintain a fireguard around the campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil. Never leave a campfire unattended.

Have a shovel or at least eight litres of water available to properly extinguish your campfire. Make sure that the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

Anyone who lights a campfire is legally responsible for making sure it doesn’t escape. That person could be held accountable for damages and fire suppression costs if his or her negligence results in a wildfire. Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation 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 to one year in jail.

Anyone riding an all-terrain vehicle or dirt bike should have a spark arrestor installed on the vehicle. Check the condition of the muffler, regularly clear build-ups of grass or other vegetation from hot spots on the vehicle, stay on dirt paths and avoid tall grass and weeds to reduce wildfire risks.

Smokers must dispose of cigarette butts and other smoking material responsibly, making sure that these materials are completely extinguished.

The government’s natural resource officers and conservation officers conduct regular patrols throughout British Columbia, monitoring high-risk activities and looking out for potential damage. These officers work closely with BC Wildfire Service staff to investigate the cause of wildfires and any improper use of fire when an open burning prohibition is in effect.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 tollfree or *5555 on a cellphone. To report suspicious activities, environmental damage or a natural resource violation, call 1-877-952-RAPP (7277) or *7277 on a cellphone.

The BC Wildfire Service thanks the public for its help in preventing wildfires. For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the BC Wildfire Service website: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo

On Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Learn More:

Current fire restrictions and bans: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirebans

Wildfire prevention: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfireprevention