The fire danger rating from south Nanaimo to Duncan switched from moderate to high this week, but so far, campfires are still permitted on the Island.
Marg Drysdale, Coastal Fire Centre spokeswoman, said the southern half of Nanaimo all the way down to Victoria now has a high fire danger rating – with a pocket of extreme around the Shawnigan Lake area.
But the good news is campfires are still permitted except where local bylaws prohibit them. The City of Nanaimo prohibits campfires.
While no campfire ban has been issued yet, Drysdale said the Coastal Fire Centre is reminding people that campfires must be no larger than half a metre wide by half a metre tall, must be attended at all times and must be put out properly.
Last weekend, fire crews attended 81 incidents, the majority of which were abandoned campfires.
"If people are responsible with their campfires, the likelihood of having a campfire ban is less, depending on the weather and the fire danger rating," she said.