As of noon on Thursday May 18th – Category 2 & 3 open burning is not permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction with the exception of Haida Gwaii. This prohibition is being enacted to help reduce human-caused wildfires and protect public safety, and prohibits burn piles, burn barrels and cages, Fireworks, sky lanterns, exploding targets, and air curtain burners.

Campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, or cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes are still permitted until further notice.

Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from around the campfire area and have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire. Fires must not be left unattended, and must be completely extinguished after use.

Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, 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.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open fire violation, call the BC Wildfire toll-free line at 1 800 663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to:http://www.bcwildfire.ca

Eli McKenty,
Cortes Island Fire Department