Effective at noon on Friday, Aug. 28, campfires will once again be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.

The current campfire prohibition is being rescinded due to cooler and wetter conditions in the forecast, which will result in a decreased wildfire risk in the region. The following activities will be allowed once the ban has been lifted:

• Campfires, so long as they are no bigger than 0.5 metres wide by 0.5 metres high.
• Open fires in outdoor stoves.

Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool such as a shovel or at least eight litres of water available nearby 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.

For a map of the area where the campfire prohibition has been lifted, go to: http://bit.ly/1MQNImr

Small backyard burning piles (Category 2 open fires) remain prohibited within the Coastal Fire Centre. Category 2 prohibitions include:

• The burning of any material larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide, up to two metres high by three metres wide.
• The burning of stubble or grass up to 0.2 hectares.
• Fireworks, sky lanterns and burning barrels.
• Binary exploding targets.

Category 3 open fires continue to be restricted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdictional area.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning 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 Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the area west of the height of land on the Coast Mountain Range north of the U.S.-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.

The Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit the BC Wildfire Service website: www.bcwildfire.ca

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