An open fire ban for most of Vancouver Island went into effect this week, but campfires are still in play for those seeking to enjoy the outdoors.
The B.C. Wildfire Service announced Wednesday that Category 2 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, except in Haida Gwaii and the northern tip of Vancouver Island, to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.
The prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 20 or until the public is otherwise notified. This prohibition covers all B.C. parks, crown lands and private lands within the Coastal Fire Centre, but does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department.
The open fire ban that started this week applies to the burning of any material, stubble or grass, and the use of fireworks, firecrackers or burning barrels.
The prohibition does not ban campfires that are smaller than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide, or apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes.
A poster explaining the different categories of open burning can be found online at http://ow.ly/znny309kJv5. People lighting a campfire must keep flammable debris from the campfire area and they must have at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire. Fires must be completely extinguished, with ashes cold to the touch, before campers leave the area.
Anyone who lights 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 or sentenced to a year in jail or could be billed for firefighting costs in the event of a wildfire.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone. For more information, visit www.bcwildfire.ca.