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Immediate Fire Ban In Effect For Coastal BC

fire ban

At noon on July 6th a coastal fire ban, including campfires, comes into effect for all of the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.

The only exclusion from the ban is Haida Gwaii and the region known as “the fog zone.”

The announcement comes after the British Colombia experiences rising temperatures and extremely low precipitation. With little rain in the upcoming forecast, the ban is said to remain in affect until October 21st, 2017 or until further notification to the public.

For now, those wishing to enjoy a fire at their campsite should turn to cooking stoves that feature propane, gas or briquettes. 

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The following activities are prohibited within the specified area:

  • campfires
  • Category 2 open fires
  •  Category 3 open fires
  • fires burning woody debris in outdoor stoves
  • the use of tiki torches, fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description
  • the use of binary exploding targets (e.g. for rifle target practice)

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.

fire ban
Photo: BC Wildfire Service

Anyone who does not abide by the regulation faces a fine of $1,150. If this fine is followed with a court date and conviction, a second fine of $100,000 or a year in jail will ensue. 

Even smokers should be wary of the ban, as smoking is only permitted on registered campsites and vehicles.

If the fire is responsible for the cause of a wildfire, a $100,000 penalty will be administered as well as all costs related to the firefighting efforts.

A $575 fine accompanies any flicked cigarette butt that starts a fire.

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