BC Wildfire Service lifts all open fire bans on Vancouver Island

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has lifted all open fire bans on Vancouver Island as of Wednesday afternoon.

In a media release, BCWS confirmed that as of noon today, September 18th, all category 2 and 3 fires are once again permitted in the Coastal Fire Centre.

These include the use of tiki torches and other similar torches, fireworks and firecrackers, sky lanterns, burn barrels, or burn cages (as long as they are under three metres in width and two metres in height), as well as outdoor stoves, among other items.

“Although fire danger ratings have declined in the region due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the public is strongly encouraged to continue exercising extreme caution with any campfire,” said the Coastal Fire Centre in a statement Tuesday.

The majority of the Island is currently at a low fire danger rating, with some areas considered “very low,” and others at a “moderate” fire danger level.

The campfire ban in BC, which began in July, was lifted on August 28th ahead of the Labour Day weekend.

Campfires must be under 0.5 metres wide and 0.5 metres tall. Fires should never be left unattended, and a “fireguard” — an area cleared of any flammable materials like grass, leaves, and kindling — should always be in place around the flames.

As of this publication, there are 200 active wildfires in BC, 24 of which remain out of control. There are no active wildfires on Vancouver Island.