Effective at noon on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, campfires will once again be allowed within the Fraser Fire Zone (most of the Lower Fraser Valley) of the Coastal Fire Centre.

However, a campfire prohibition remains in place for all other areas in the Coastal Fire Centre, except for the coastal “fog zone” and Haida Gwaii.

The current campfire prohibition will be rescinded in this area only, due to recent precipitation and a forecast of cool and rainy weather for the Lower Mainland. The public is advised to check with their local government before lighting any fire to ensure that they abide by local open fire bylaws.

A map of the affected area is available online at: http://bit.ly/1pi8zTW

The following uses will now be allowed in the Fraser Fire Zone:

• Campfires, as defined by the wildfire regulation.
• Open fires in outdoor stoves.

The long-term weather forecast indicates a return to warm and dry conditions in the near future. If that happens, a campfire ban may be reintroduced in the Fraser Fire Zone. Prior to lighting any campfire, please check: www.bcwildfire.ca

As a reminder for people planning to light a campfire in the Fraser Fire Zone, campfires cannot be larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide. Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool (such as a shovel) or at least eight litres of water available to fully extinguish it. Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure that the ashes are completely cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

Category 2 burning:

Small backyard burning piles (Category 2 fires) remain prohibited in all areas of the Coastal Fire Centre except Haida Gwaii and the area known as the “fog zone”. The fog zone is a two-kilometre-wide strip along the outer coast of Vancouver Island, stretching from Owen Point (near Port Renfrew) north to the tip of Vancouver Island and around to the boundary of the District of Port Hardy. This strip extends inland two kilometres from the high-tide point.

Category 2 burning includes:

• The burning of any material in piles larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide, up to two metres tall by three metres wide.
• The burning of stubble or grass over an area up to 0.2 hectares.
• Fireworks and burning barrels of any size and description.

Category 3 open fires continue to be prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. Anyone found in violation of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket of up to $345 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Prohibitions implemented by the Coastal Fire Centre covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but do not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.

The Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the area west of the height of land on the Coast Mountain Range north of the U.S.A.-Canada border at Manning Park, including Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park in the north, the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or non-compliant open burning, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or dial *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

• On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media Contacts: 

Donna MacPherson
Jessica Poustie
Fire Information Officers
Wildfire Management Branch
Coastal Fire Centre
250 951-4209
FORHPRP.INFOCO@gov.bc.ca