Effective yesterday, all open burning (including campfires, Category 2 open fires and Category 3 open fires) will be prohibited in all areas of the Coastal Fire Centre except the “fog zone” and Haida Gwaii.
This step is being taken to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. The fire danger rating is currently “high” throughout most of the Coastal Fire Centre, with scattered pockets of “extreme”.
This prohibition will remain in place until October 15, 2014, or until the public is notified that it has been rescinded. A map of the areas affected by the prohibition is available online at: http://bit.ly/1yov78I
This prohibition applies to campfires and open burning of any size or description, including fires with a burn registration number and industrial burning. The use of fireworks, burning barrels, tiki torches and sky lanterns is also not permitted.
The prohibition does not apply to CSA-rated or ULC-rated cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
This prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.