The BC government has implemented a temporary off-road vehicle ban on Crown land in many regions of BC as wildfire conditions are increased across the province.
The ban came into effect at noon on Monday, August 10th and aims to prevent unintentional ignitions that can spark wildfires.
Until the ban is lifted, the operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational purposes on Crown land—land owned and managed by the provincial and federal governments—has been temporarily prohibited.
The regions this ban encompasses include areas under the jurisdiction of the Kamloops Fire Centre, the Southeast Fire Centre and parts of the Cariboo Fire Centre and Coastal Fire Centre.
For the Coastal Fire Centre, there are some exceptions to the ban.
Off-road vehicles remain permitted in:
- Portions of the South Island Forest District including Regional District of Nanaimo and Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot
- North Island Central Coast Forest District
- Campbell River Forest District
- Sunshine Coast Forest District
“During this period of extreme and unpredictable fire activity, the priority is public and first-responder safety and the prevention of human-caused wildfires,” said the Province in a media release.
“The operation of any off-road vehicles in these regions during the current wildfire situation creates a potential wildfire risk, such as unintentional ignitions that can lead to new fires.”
According to the Province, off-road vehicles include all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and off-road side-by-side vehicles.
Under the ban, these vehicles are prohibited from driving on Crown lands. The prohibition does not apply to private lands or national parks, and also does not apply to emergency responders or to agriculture or commercial/industrial users.
Given the current wildfire situation in BC, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is strongly urging people in British Columbia and visitors to stay out of the backcountry in the regions impacted by heightened wildfire risk.
“This is to prevent the potential for unintentional ignitions of wildfires that can be caused by backcountry activity and to mitigate the risk of being in the backcountry, where it can be more challenging and complex to receive support for evacuation if a fire started,” the Province continued.
BCWS is monitoring conditions and evaluating the need for further restrictions.
Anyone found riding an off-road vehicle unlawfully during this prohibition may receive a violation ticket for as much as $1,150.
Furthermore, if the riding of an off-road vehicle causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
To report a violation, call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.
This temporary prohibition may be expanded or rescinded as needed.
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