As of Wednesday, June 25 and until further
notice, Category 1 and 2 open fire is prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire
Centre, which includes the Sea to Sky corridor, the Sunshine Coast, Lower
Mainland, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island.
This open fire ban does not prohibit
campfires.
Category 1 open fire means an open fire that
burns piled material no larger than one metre high and one metre wide.
A Category 2 open fire means an open fire that
burns piled material no larger than two metres high and three metres wide, or
grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres) in size.
This open fire ban applies within B.C. Parks
and to all public (Crown) and private land outside of organized areas
.
This fire ban does not apply within municipalities or regional
districts that have their own burning bylaws. Please check with your local
authorities before lighting a fire this summer.
The open fire ban is in effect to protect
public safety and to limit the risk of person-caused wildfires. This ban does
not restrict campfires or fires in stoves using gas, propane, or briquettes.
The public is urged to use caution while
engaging in forest actives this summer. Although the spring has been cool,
rainfall is below normal and the forest fuels are dry.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks. For more information on open fire restrictions or for updates on current wildfire activity, visit www.bcwildfire.ca.