B.C. campfires are still allowed, but ban coming for open burns

B.C. will soon be bringing in some fire bans for the Coastal Fire Centre, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to go without a fire the next time you spend some time outdoors.

The province has announced prohibitions starting July 15 for Category 2 and Category 3 open fires.

Category 2 refers to open fires, other than campfires, that burn not more than two metres in height and three metres in width. They also include fires that burn stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares.

Category 3 refers to open fires that burn material concurrently in more than three piles, each of which should not exceed two metres in height and three in width. They also include fires that burn material in one or more piles each exceeding two metres in height or three in width, fires that burn one or more windrows, and fires that burn stubble or grass over an area larger than 0.2 hectares.

A Category 2 and Category 3 fire ban will be in place in B.C.’s Coastal Fire Centre starting July 15, 2022 until Oct. 28, 2022. (Courtesy B.C. Government)

This means people camping in the Coastal Fire Centre, which includes the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast, as well as Haida Gwaii are still able to light a fire, so long as they do not fit any of these categories. Fires that are a half-metre high by half-metre wide or smaller are permitted.

Cooking stoves that use gas, propane, or briquettes are also allowed.

The ban will remain in place until Oct. 28, or until it is rescinded or replaced by another. The prohibitions apply to all public and private land, unless otherwise specified.

In addition to Category 2 and Category 3 burn bans, the province is also prohibiting fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels or cages of any size, and air curtain burners.

The province says the move to limit some types of fires is being made in an effort to prevent wildfires.

Earlier this month, the BC Wildfire Service said the recent cool and wet spring had kept the wildfire risk low. However, the agency warned that could change quickly as warmer, drier weather set in. Lightning is also cause for concern as we move through the summer months.

Many cities have their own restrictions on campfires, such as Vancouver, which does not allow any open burning at any time unless you have a permit.