Campfire ban in Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island starting Thursday

Time is ticking on those wishing to light a campfire.

Starting at noon Thursday, the Coastal Fire Centre campfire ban begins, covering most of southwest B.C. as wildfires blaze around the province.

The ban will include Metro Vancouver out to Chilliwack, the Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky Country, the North Coast and Vancouver Island.

Campfires will be banned until Oct. 28, or until the order is rescinded.

(Photo credit: Coastal Fire Centre)

“Anyone who lights, fuels or uses an open fire when a fire prohibition is in place or fails to comply with an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail,” said a Coastal Fire Centre statement.

The ban also includes fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels, and air curtain burners.

Related links:

• More evacuation orders issued as Keremeos Creek wildfire burns

• Cooler weather could offer respite to crews battling Keremeos wildfire‘

• Risk is always there’: Apex Mountain evacuated as aggressive wildfire near Penticton grows

The centre says the ban does not include stoves that use gas, propane or briquette. It also does not include portable campfire devices that use briquettes, liquid, or gaseous fuel with a flame height less than 15 centimetres.

To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone. All the latest information on wildfires can be found at the BC Wildfire dashboard.