While the Coastal Fire Centre lifted a fire ban for the Sea to Sky on Wednesday, fires are still prohibited in Whistler, according to the Whistler Fire Rescue Service.
As such, a fire ban remains in full effect for the resort.
The Coastal Fire Centre's ban was originally put in place on June 8.
For some areas outside of Whistler's boundaries, the ban has been lifted "due to cooler conditions and rainfall, which has reduced the fire danger rating in these areas," reads a BC Wildfire Service notice about the change. "However, if conditions change, prohibitions may once again be enacted."
Campfires continue to be banned by the Coastal Fire Centre on Vancouver Island and most Gulf Islands.
It is still not legal in the Sea to Sky to have Category 2 and Category 3 fires, which are fires larger than campfires, such as bonfires and slash-burning piles. The following are also not permitted:
- Fireworks;
- Sky lanterns;
- Burn barrels or Burn cages of any size or description;
- Binary exploding targets;
- Air curtain burners;
These are banned "to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety," reads the notice.
These prohibitions apply to all public and private land within the Coastal Fire Centre jurisdiction.
Anyone who lights, fuels or uses an open fire when a fire prohibition is in place or fails to comply with an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
If the action leads to a wildfire, the person responsible may get a fine of up to $100,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories go to: www.bcwildfire.ca.
-with files from Jennifer Thuncher
