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Open fire bans begin

All burning illegal except contained campfires
Open fires banned

Small campfires are still allowed, but fire bans have begun for Powell River Regional District and the rest of the coastal region.

Effective at noon on Friday, May 13, the size of open fires are restricted to help prevent wildfires and protect the public.

Donna MacPherson, fire information officer for BC Wildfire Service, said that ban was prompted by the weather and the forest drying out.

“As the forest was drying we kept a really close eye on it and when we reached the threshold we brought in the prohibition,” said MacPherson. “We’ve been having drier springs than normal and it also gets rid of the types of fires that are most likely to cause forest fires by people who are not thinking carefully.”

Fires larger than half a metre by half a metre, bonfires, party fires, backyard burning piles or barrels and fireworks are all prohibited until October 21, or otherwise notified.

City of Powell River prohibits burning inside its jurisdiction throughout the year, except for the months of April and November, when residents are required to purchase burning permits. Campfires are prohibited year-round and may only be lit at Willingdon Beach campground in designated sites.

“We’re actually very close to a campfire prohibition as well,” said MacPherson. “We do try to hold off on the campfire ban as long as we possibly can though.”

BC Wildfire Service has a very specific definition of what a campfire is, said McPherson. It is small and well-maintained and the area around it is fuel-free. People sit around it and have a way to put it out, and when it is out the ground is cold, she said.

“If it’s not that, then it’s not a campfire,” said McPherson. “I want to be very clear; a bonfire or a party fire is already prohibited.”

McPherson said that the government will be monitoring the weather this week and may proceed with the campfire bans in the drier parts on the coast before the Victoria Day long weekend if the cooler, wet weather does not arrive.

Anyone found in contravention of an open-fire prohibition many be fined $1,150, or if convicted in court, up to $100,000.

If the contravention causes or contributes to a forest fire, the person responsible may be subject to a penalty of $100,000 and ordered to pay for all firefighting and associated costs.