As of noon on July 25, 2018, Category 2 and Category 3 open burning will be prohibited in Haida Gwaii, although campfires will still be allowed there.

The only other area in the Coastal Fire Centre where campfires are allowed is the area known as the fog zone (see description below).

Prohibited activities in Haida Gwaii will also include:

• the use of  fireworks, firecrackers and sky lanterns
• the use of burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description
• the use of binary exploding targets (e.g. for rifle target practice)

Campfires, Category 2 and Category 3 fires are already prohibited throughout the rest of the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, with the exception of the fog zone.

Prohibited activities for this area include:

• the use of  fireworks, firecrackers and sky lanterns
• the use of burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description
• the use of tiki torches, chimineas and stoves and other portable campfire apparatuses that are not CSA or ULC approved
• the use of binary exploding targets (e.g. for rifle target practice)

Haida Gwaii is experiencing uncommonly dry conditions. With no significant rain in the forecast, the wildfire risk has increased in the region. These prohibitions will help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

Since April 1, 2018, 72% of the wildfires in the Coastal Fire Centre have been caused by people. Human-caused wildfires are entirely preventable, and can divert critical firefighting resources away from naturally occurring wildfires.

The Coastal Fire Centre area prohibitions will remain in effect until Oct. 19, 2018, or until the public is otherwise notified. A map of the affected area is available online at: http://ow.ly/wM4v30l6jRV

These prohibitions apply to all public and private land unless specified otherwise — for example, in a local government bylaw. Please check with local government authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, 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 from 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.

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, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

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

Quick Fact:

• The fog zone is a two-kilometre strip of land 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. A map of the fog zone is available online at: http://ow.ly/bCJc30caIul

Learn More:

A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online at: http://ow.ly/znny309kJv5