Anyone planning to go camping or spend time in the backcountry this weekend or on the Canada Day holiday must comply with provincial regulations regarding campfire restrictions and safety.

Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are prohibited in many regions of the province and campfires will be prohibited in parts of the Coastal Fire Centre as of noon on Saturday, June 27. For details about the partial campfire ban in the Coastal Fire Centre,
visit:https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/campfires-to-be-banned-in-parts-of-coastal-fire-centre

Warm and dry weather conditions are expected to continue in many parts of the province, so open burning prohibitions or campfire bans could be implemented or expanded on short notice to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. Local governments could have their own burning restrictions in place, so always check with authorities in your area before lighting a fire of any size.

So far this season, the Wildfire Management Branch has responded to over 530 wildfires, over half of which were caused by people. Human-caused fires are preventable and tie up firefighting resources that could be used to deal with naturally occurring wildfires. Given the forecasted weather conditions, it is crucial for British Columbians and visitors to remain vigilant and prevent wildfires. Any fires that break out should be reported to the Wildfire Management Branch as quickly as possible.

Detailed information about current burning restrictions is available on the Wildfire Management Branch website at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp  

British Columbians and visitors are urged to check this website to see what restrictions are in place in their area. The use of fireworks is also prohibited in many areas of B.C.

Here’s some important information about campfire use, if campfires are allowed in your area:

• Have a shovel or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish your campfire.
• Campfires cannot be larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
• Do not light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material.
• You must maintain a one-metre fireguard around the campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, kindling, etc.) have been removed.
• Never leave a campfire unattended.
• Make sure that the campfire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time. You may be held accountable for damages and fire suppression costs if your negligence results in a wildfire.

Anyone operating motorized vehicles in the backcountry must also exercise caution, since the heat from an exhaust pipe — particularly in tall, dry grass — could ignite a wildfire.

This is an ideal time of the year for homeowners and communities to take simple steps to reduce the potential impacts of wildfires. Be proactive, be practical and be FireSmart. More information about fire prevention and the FireSmart program can be found online at: http://bcwildfire.ca/Prevention/firesmart.htm

Quote:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

“Check the Wildfire Management Branch website to see if an open burning prohibition or campfire ban is in effect in your area. If you are allowed to light a campfire, remember that you are legally responsible for making sure it doesn’t escape. Ensure that it is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area for any length of time.”

Quick Facts:

• Anyone found in contravention of a fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, 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.
• The provincial government thanks the public for its help in preventing wildfires. To report a wildfire, an unattended campfire or an open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or call *5555 on your cellphone.

Learn More:

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, 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:

Kevin Skrepnek
Provincial Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 312-3051