Campers outside Nanaimo's city limits can count on warm late summer nights thanks B.C. Wildfire Service, which lifted its ban on campfires.
As of noon today (Aug. 28), campfires are again permitted throughout the Coast Fire Centre jurisdiction due to forecasted cooler, wetter conditions expected to result in a lower wildfire risk.
However, the City of Nanaimo is keeping its current burning and campfire ban in place within city limits.
The B.C. Wildfire Service allows for campfires no larger than a half-metre wide by half-metre high and open fires in outdoor stoves.
People lighting campfires must also have a shovel or at least eight litres of water on hand to fully extinguish them. Campfires sites cannot be left unattended unless ashes are completely cold to the touch.
All backyard burning, burning of grass or stubble, fireworks, sky lanterns, burning barrels and binary exploding targets remain banned.
Penalties for contravening a fire ban can range from a $345 fine to a fine of $100,000 and one year in jail. Anyone causing a wildfire might also be found liable for firefighting and associated costs.