The BC Wildfire Service is bringing in a campfire ban across the province effective noon on Wednesday, June 30.
It comes amid an historic, unprecedented heat wave in the province which has brought a rising wildfire risk across British Columbia. As of noon today, the Fire Danger rating for most of B.C. was high to extreme.
“Camping is a long-standing tradition in this province. The B.C. government recognizes that people also enjoy having campfires, so it takes any decision to implement a campfire ban very seriously,” a statement from the Wildfire Service said.
“The BC Wildfire Service takes these extreme heat conditions seriously. Additional precautions are being undertaken throughout the province, including fire warden patrols, fixed-wing aircraft patrols and an active enforcement presence.”
This ban will be in effect until noon on Oct. 15, 2021, unless it is rescinded earlier.
“Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility,” added the BC Wildfire Service statement. “Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires.”
“The provincial weather forecast calls for record-breaking high temperatures throughout B.C. this week and follows a spring of lower-than-average precipitation in the southern half of the province. These conditions are expected to persist in the coming weeks.”
All open fires larger than a campfire were already banned across the province. The use of fireworks, sky lanterns, and burn barrels, binary exploding targets, and tiki torches were also already off limits given the dry conditions.
Last week, both the District of Barriere and the District of Clearwater brought in their own campfire bans, while the City of Kamloops asked residents in the area to be on high alert because of the extreme heat in the region.
As of noon on Wednesday, outdoor stoves or portable campfire equipment without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating will also be restricted.
Anyone found violating these restrictions may be issued a ticket for $1,150, while being required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000. If convicted in court, they could be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
People could also be responsible to pay all firefighting and other associated costs if their actions lead to a wildfire.
To report a wildfire, an unattended campfire, or an open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
For the latest on the current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures, or air quality advisories call 1-888-3-FOREST or go online here.
