Due to unseasonably hot weather and dry forest conditions, the Coastal Fire Centre has announced a ban on campfires.
The ban, which went into effect on June 27, includes the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound and covers all provincial parks, Crown lands and areas without local fire prevention bylaws in place.
All of the fire departments on the Sunshine Coast are following the ban within their fire protection districts, with the ban starting June 29 in District of Sechelt and June 27 in all other areas, Sunshine Coast Regional District emergency program coordinator Bill Elsner said last Friday.
Elsner stressed that fireworks are also included in the ban.
A public notice issued by the Roberts Creek Fire Department noted the ban includes “all fires whether for warmth, cooking or ceremonial purposes and all beach fires, burning barrels, fireworks, firecrackers and sky lanterns.”
The ban does not apply to CSA-rated or ULC-rated cooking stoves or barbecues that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, if the height of the flame is less than 15 cm.
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning ban could be issued a $345 ticket, required to pay an administrative penalty of $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, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to www.bcwildfire.ca
