A ban on campfires across much of British Columbia's coast is set to end Tuesday after the BC Wildfire Service reported recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have dropped the fire danger for the region.
The campfire prohibition has been in place since early August when hot, dry weather drove up the risk of wildfires across the Coast Fire Centre — a region that includes the Lower Mainland, Sunshine and Central coasts, as well as Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 12 p.m., campfires, as well as the use of tiki torches, chimineas and outdoor stoves will once again be allowed.
The BC Wildfire Service “strongly encourages” the public to continue to exercise caution when lighting campfires, and to check with local governments to ensure no local restrictions are in place.
Category 2 and 3 open fires remain prohibited across the region until Oct. 28, 2022. This means fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and burn cages should not be lit until that date, or until the service rescinds the order.
A campfire includes any fire smaller than half a metre high and half a metre wide.
Even at this size, however, campfires can be dangerous in windy conditions, and the BC Wildfire Service cautions against lighting a fire in such conditions in case embers are blown into a nearby fuel source.
Anyone burning a campfire should also ensure they are properly and completely extinguished. Ashes, notes the service in its bulletin Monday, should be cold to the touch before leaving the area.
By Monday afternoon, BC Wildfire Service reported 172 wildfires were still burning across the province.
Should someone come across a wildfire, they are encouraged to report it at 1-800-663-5555 or by dialling *5555 on a cell phone.
