VICTORIA — Effective noon on Wednesday (June 30), campfires, and Category Two and Category Three open fires will be prohibited throughout B.C.
A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
The following activities are also prohibited:
The provincial weather forecast calls for record-breaking high temperatures throughout B.C. this week and follows a spring of lower-than-average precipitation in the southern half of the province. These conditions are expected to persist in the coming weeks.
Additional precautions are being undertaken throughout the province. Including fire warden patrols, fixed-wing aircraft patrols and an active enforcement presence. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires.
The prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.
Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, abd may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
Anyone can report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
