The province lifted the open burning ban through the Coastal Fire Centre as of Oct. 28, but Bonfire Night is still cancelled through much of the lower Sunshine Coast.
Campfires and backyard burning are still banned in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt and Halfmoon Bay fire protection areas until further notice, according to an Oct. 28 Sunshine Coast Regional District emergency operations centre update. All fireworks are prohibited under the ban. The SCRD imposed the campfire ban on Oct. 8 in light of the Coast's water shortage.
But, in Egmont and Pender Harbour fire protection areas, campfires and open burning, including category two and three fires, are now permitted. "Please check with your respective fire departments as they may have requirements," says the EOC update.
Category two open fires burn material in one or two piles – each not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width, or burn stubble or grass over an area not exceeding 0.2 ha. Category three open fires burn material concurrently in three or more piles, each not exceeding two metres in height or three metres in width; burn material in one or more piles each exceeding two metres in height or three metres in width; burn one or more windrows; or burn stubble or grass in an area exceeding 0.2 ha.
The update notes that Sechelt and Gibsons have also banned fireworks.
