A ban on larger open fires across much of the B.C. coast takes effect at noon on Friday, May 30, as B.C.’s wildfire season ramps up.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says the ban only applies to Category 2 and 3 fires, meaning small campfires and cooking stoves are allowed. Fireworks, however, are prohibited.
The ban covers all of Vancouver Island and most of the B.C.’s coast, with some exceptions for Haida Gwaii. The service says only Category 3 fires will be prohibited in the Haida Gwaii Forest District.
The ban is expected to remain in place through October 31st, unless it’s removed earlier by the B.C. Wildfire Centre or the Coastal Fire Centre.
The B.C. Wildfire Service website lists nearly 60 wildfires burning in B.C. as of May 29, with 32 of those categorized as out of control. The only fire within the Coastal Fire Centre area is the 1.3-hectare Skarleth Lake wildfire near Agassiz, which is being held.
Firesmart BC launched its annual campaign earlier this May urging B.C. residents to prepare for fire season. It says simple things like mowing lawns, cleaning gutters, and clearing debris from decks and balconies can help prevent the spread of fires.
B.C. saw it’s most devastating wildfire season on record in 2023, with more than 2.8 million hectares burned.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said it built on the lessons learned in 2023, but last year was still the fourth-worst wildfire season on record in the province, with more than a million hectares burned.
