B.C. lifts coastal campfire ban early

People in B.C.’s most populous areas will now be able to light up an autumn campfire, with the province lifting a fire ban for the Coastal Fire Centre more than a month earlier than anticipated.

The BC Wildfire Service says Category 1, 2, and 3 fire prohibitions for the region will be lifted as of noon on Wednesday.

That means open burning will once again be allowed in the entire Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, and Sea-to-Sky regions.

 

Thanks to fall conditions, rain and a decreased fire danger rating in the Coastal Fire Centre, the Category 1 (campfire), Category 2 (backyard) and Category 3 (industrial) open fire prohibitions will be lifted at 12 p.m., noon, PDT on Sept. 27 in the fire centre’s jurisdiction. pic.twitter.com/a5A5qC25e1

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) September 26, 2023

---

The ban was first put in place in July due to tinder-dry conditions experienced in the region, with a tentative end date of Oct. 31. The service noted the ban could be lifted earlier if conditions improved.

“Although fire danger ratings have declined in the region due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the public is strongly encouraged to continue exercising extreme caution with any campfire,” the province advises.

At one point during the summer months, virtually the entire province was under some sort of fire ban as a record wildfire season raged on.

---

Read More:

• B.C. coastal campfire ban now in place
  

• Campers fined for illegal fires amid B.C. wildfire crisis

• Heart-shaped Tofino beach fire sparks wildfire safety controversy

---

The Coastal Fire Centre is the second region in the province to see bans lifted. On Tuesday, the Southeast Fire Centre saw Category 1 and 2 orders rescinded, allowing for small fires in places like Castlegar, Nelson, and the Kootenays.

All other areas of the province still have more stringent prohibitions in place, including the Kamloops Fire Centre, which has an outright ban on all open fires. The Cariboo, Prince George, and Northwest fire centres all have partial campfire bans in place based on location.