(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

Campfire ban

Paul Lake campers making the best of campfire ban

Jul 12, 2024 | 6:00 PM

PAUL LAKE, BC– Friday (July 12) at noon, a province-wide campfire ban came into effect, prohibiting open burns of any kind anywhere in B.C., with the exception of Haida Gwaii.

After years of intensifying wildfire seasons, fire bans have become the new normal for summer campers.

“We didn’t bring wood, didn’t bring an axe or any of that,” said Tara Sodke, a camper at Paul Lake. “Honestly, you don’t need a fire to camp.”

The restrictions came after a week of record hot temperatures throughout the province.

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Oksana White, who is camping at Paul Lake with her family, said she understands the need for the ban but camping isn’t the same without a fire.

“We use the campfire for cooking and sitting around enjoying ourselves and roasting marshmallows,” White told CFJC News. “We’re going to really miss the atmosphere of the fire.”

Despite the reduced atmosphere, many campers came prepared. Sodke said she brought a barbecue and three different stoves.

“We have a lot. We have propane,” said Sodke. “We’re pretty set up.”

Monique Ruppel, a seasoned camper, said she made the switch to a propane pit a long time ago.

“I don’t mind the fire ban because I dislike fire, smoke, the smell,” she said, “so we have a propane fire all year long when we’re camping and it doesn’t feel any different.”

The current campfire ban is in place until further notice, but won’t be deterring any of the campers we spoke with at Paul Lake.

“We’re just here to be here outside – to read and relax and have it be quiet,” said Sodke.