After the Coastal Fire Centre enacted a ban on all outdoor fires last week, campfires will once again be permitted now that rain has returned to the region’s forecast.
Beginning on Friday, May 15th at noon, the ‘Category 1’ campfire prohibition will be rescinded throughout the Coastal Fire Centre—though ‘Category 2’ and ‘Category 3’ open burning will remain prohibited.
According to the Coastal Fire Centre, the campfire ban was initially implemented due to a sudden spike in wildfire risks for Vancouver Island and much of BC’s coastal regions.
There was no rain in the short-term forecast, prolonged hot and dry conditions, rising fire weather indices, elevated incidences of human-caused wildfires and limited early season operational capacity.
“Current and forecast conditions have since shifted, bringing cooler temperatures, improved humidity values and an overall reduction in wildfire hazard throughout the Coastal Fire Centre,” said the Coastal Fire Center in a media release.
“Because of this, Category 1 campfires will be once again permitted under the Coastal Fire Centre jurisdiction.”
Though campfires will be permitted once again, the Coastal Fire Centre warns residents in their jurisdiction to do so responsibly.
They recommend following a few precautions, including not lighting a fire in windy conditions, not leaving the fire unattended, ensuring the fire is fully extinguished before leaving the area and reporting a fire that gets out of control to BC Wildfire Service immediately.
Category 2 and Category 3 fires remain prohibited and include the following activities and equipment:
- Fireworks
- Binary exploding targets
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
- Controlled air incinerators
- Air curtain burners
- Carbonizers
The Coastal Fire Centre’s prohibition applies to all areas that are outside of municipal boundaries.
Municipalities often follow suit with prohibitions like these, but may impose different prohibitions based on conditions in their local area.
Even though the Coastal Fire Centre is lifting its campfire ban, many municipalities and local governments’ campfire bans will remain in effect.
For example, in the District of Saanich, campfires are illegal from May 1st to October 15th.
The Coastal Fire Centre urges those hoping to have a fire to check in with their municipality’s bylaws.
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