The Coastal Fire Centre has issued an immediate ban on open fires due to the high risk for forest fires.
Campfires are permitted, however.
The Coastal Fire Centre covers the area west of the height of land on the Coast Mountain range from the U.S./Canada border at Manning Park to Tweedsmuir Park in the north, the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland, all of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
A category one open fire means an open fire that burns piled material no larger than one metre high and one metre wide. A category two open fire means an open fire that burns piled material no larger than two metres high and three metres wide, or grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres) in size.
This open fire ban applies within B.C. Parks and to all public (Crown) and private land outside organized areas. This fire ban does not apply within municipalities or regional districts that have their own burning bylaws. Residents are urged to check with the District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons or Sunshine Coast Regional District before lighting a fire this summer.
"This open fire ban is in effect to protect public safety and to limit the risk of person-caused wildfires," said fire information officer Donna MacPherson. "This ban does not restrict fires in stoves using gas, propane or briquettes."
MacPherson said the open fire restrictions are in response to the continued dry and warm weather and are in place to reduce person-caused fire starts. To date, the Coastal Fire Centre has had double the fire starts it historically has to date, and all but one were person caused.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks. For more information and updates on current wildfire activity, see www.bcwildfire.ca.
