A campfire ban in the BC Wildfire Service Coastal Fire Centre, including some areas of qathet Regional District, was lifted as of Tuesday, September 11, at 12 pm.
In Powell River, campfires will be allowed at Willingdon Beach Campsite but burning restrictions on recreational fires within the municipality of Powell River remain. No backyard fires are allowed.
Burning of yard debris in the city is allowed by permit only in November and April.
According to a statement from BCWS, the use of tiki torches, chimineas, stoves and portable campfire apparatuses not CSA-approved or ULC-approved will also be permitted.
Total fire bans will continue on Texada Island until October 15, according to Van Anda Volunteer Fire Department/Texada Rescue chief Mark Craggs.
While campfires are now allowed in other areas in qathet Regional District, including Savary Island, certain restrictions remain in effect, including: stubble or grass burning of any size; use of sky lanterns; use of fireworks (including firecrackers); use of burn barrels or burning cages of any size or description; and use of binary exploding targets (e.g. for target practice).
Bans on Category 2 and Category 3 fires remain in effect.
According to BCWS, a Category 2 open fire is an open fire, excluding a campfire, that burns piled material no larger than two metres high and three metres wide, or grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres) in size.
A Category 3 open fire is a fire that burns material in piles larger than two metres high and three metres wide, windrows, or grass over an area larger than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres) in size. Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1.888.797.1717.
Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the areas west of the height of land on the Coast Mountain Range from the United States/Canada border at Manning Park, including Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park in the north, the Sunshine Coast, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, 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 up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, call 1.888.3.FOREST or go to bcwildfire.ca.
