With summer coming to an end, wildfire season is hopefully following suit. That means campfire bans are being lifted across B.C., allowing people to once again responsibly light campfires.
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Here’s what you need to know about the campfire ban being lifted.
Campfire Bans in B.C.
The Government of British Columbia notes that 42% of wildfires are the result of human activity– whether that is purposeful or accidental– from a 10-year average from 2012 to 2022. Most notably, open fires are the largest source of those human-caused fires.
In order to lessen the chances of these flames causing a wildfire, Category 1 fires were banned in certain areas of B.C. during July 2026.
“Human-caused wildfires are entirely preventable and may divert crucial resources from naturally occurring and/or existing wildfires,” said the Government of B.C.. “Prohibitions are a useful tool used to reduce the likelihood of more human-caused fires in anticipation of increased lightning-caused fires or during critical fire situations.”
This meant that people in the Lower Mainland, the Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island– as well as coastal B.C. areas– were be prohibited from lighting certain sizes of campfires. A Category 1 fire is a campfire that isn’t larger than half a metre wide by half a metre high. Category 2 and 3 fires were already banned since May 2026.
Lifting the Ban
Months later, folks will soon be able to light campfires again ahead of the Labour Day long weekend.
Category 1 fires in the Coastal Fire Centre will be able to be lit once more on Thursday at noon.
“Although fire danger ratings have declined throughout much of the Coastal Fire Centre as a result of recent rainfall, along with shorter days, longer nights and cooler temperatures, the public is encouraged to continue exercising caution with the use of any open fire,” a bulletin from the B.C. Wildfire Service said.
