Campfire prohibition lifted for portions of the Coastal Fire Centre - BUT NOT FOR LASQUETI!!!

INFORMATION BULLETIN
For Immediate Release September 2, 2021
Ministry of Forests, Lands,
Natural Resource Operations
and Rural Development
BC Wildfire Service
Campfire prohibition lifted for portions of the Coastal Fire Centre
PARKSVILLE—

Effective Friday, September 3, 2021 at 12:00 pm (noon) Pacific Standard Time, the campfire prohibition in the Coastal Fire Centre will be lifted in all regions of the jurisdictional area except for the South Island Resource District area. For detailed information, please refer to the map: http://ow.ly/6LFz30rSNQ3

The South Island Resource District covers the southern third of Vancouver Island and extends from Victoria to Union Bay on the east coast (including Denman, Hornby, Lasqueti, Gabriola, Salt Spring, Pender and other smaller Gulf Islands) and from Victoria to Nootka Sound on the west coast. The population centres include Victoria, Duncan, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville, and Qualicum on the East Coast and Sooke, Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet and Bamfield on the West Coast. Campfires, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and burn cages will continue to be prohibited within the district.

Although fire danger ratings have declined in much of the Coastal Fire Centre region due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the public is strongly encouraged to continue exercising extreme caution with any campfire. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations. Before lighting any fire, check with local government authorities to see if any local burning restrictions are in place.

While campfires will be allowed in the Coastal Fire Centre (except for the South Island Resource District), Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited, including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and burn cages. These restrictions will remain in place until October 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.

A poster explaining the different categories of open burning and applicable regulations is
available online: www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs.

Reminders about campfires:
• A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide;
• Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material;
• Maintain a fireguard around your campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil;
• Never leave a fire unattended;
• Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

Other activities which will now be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre area except for the South Island Resource District, include:
• The use of tiki and similar kinds of torches;
• The use of chimineas; and
• The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating.

Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires. Always practice safe, responsible fire use where permitted.
• To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
• Check with your local government or other jurisdictional authorities before lighting a fire of any size since they may have their own restrictions in place.
• Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Learn More:
People can follow the latest wildfire news:
• on the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices
• on Twitter: twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• on Facebook: facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Contact:
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Coastal Fire Centre
250-951-4209
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect.