Campfire bans issued for southern B.C. amid dry conditions

Dry conditions across most of southern British Columbia have triggered campfire bans.

The prohibitions are being brought in at noon Thursday in three of the province's six fire centres to reduce wildfire risk and to protect public safety.

That includes the Coastal Fire Centre, which covers the Lower Mainland, Sea to Sky Region, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.

The Kamloops and Southeast fire centres are also impacted.

The prohibition covers all B.C. parks, Crown lands and private lands, but campfires will still be allowed in Haida Gwaii.

“The prohibition does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has wildfire prevention bylaws in place and is serviced by a fire department,” reads a bulletin from the B.C. Wildfire Service.

Residents are urged to check their municipality's rules before lighting any fires.

“At this point just based on the weather we’ve been seeing and the fuel conditions, it really doesn’t take much for a wildfire to start and so it’s really important that people are respecting these prohibitions and that they are being safe and responsible especially when they’re out in the backcountry,” said Nadia Linning, a fire information officer for B.C. Wildfire Service.

Fireworks, sky lanterns and burn barrels are also not allowed.

The ban does not apply to cooking stoves or portable campfire devices that use gas, propane or briquettes if the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

Shalon Sims decided to pack up her campsite at Golden Ears Provincial Park early after she found out about the ban.

“We’re probably going to leave now. There’s no real point in camping when you can’t have a fire. There's just nothing to do for the entire evening,” said Sims.

She said she was disappointed, but understood why officials made the move.

“The campfire does more than just enjoy it right, it stops mosquitoes. So if there's no campfire, you're basically just getting eaten alive,” she told CTV News.

The Wong family was also cutting their camping trip short.

“Campfires are a big part of camping. But, when it gets really dry campfire bans can help stop a lot of the big fires that we sometimes get in B.C.,” said Jack Wong as he sat next to the fire. 

Anyone who disobeys the 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.

If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be subject to a penalty of up to $100,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

There are approximately 90 active wildfires burning in the province right now, the majority of which were caused by lightning.

Anyone who sees a wildfire is urged to report it by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll free or *5555 on a cellphone.