A campfire ban for the Sunshine Coast was issued this week following two lightning strikes in dry forested areas that started small bush fires in West Sechelt and at Richardson Lake.
The West Sechelt Fire was 0.1 hectare in size near the CBC tower past Edward Road. Discovered on Aug. 10, the fire was said to be a “holdover” fire caused by lightning in the area the week before. The fire was extinguished by the BC Wildfire Service on Aug. 11.
Another small “holdover” fire of 0.009 hectares due to lightning was discovered on an island at Richardson Lake on Aug. 2, and as of Wednesday, it was still burning.
Marg Drysdale of the Coastal Fire Centre said the intent was to let the fire continue burning for the “health of the forest,” as it’s small enough that it’s expected to stay contained on the island.
“It’ll take out a lot of the underbrush or whatever’s on the ground and actually allow seedlings to produce next year,” she said.
BC Wildfire Service would continue to monitor the Richardson Lake fire, Drysdale said, and take action if warranted.
The already dry forest floor and predicted run of hot weather prompted the Coastal Fire Centre to announce a campfire ban at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
Campfire bans are now in effect across the Sunshine Coast, in all communities and in the backcountry, until further notice.
Under the ban, propane campfire rings that can be turned off at the source are permitted, as is the use of propane and briquette barbecues.
Anyone found in contravention of the campfire ban can be fined up to $1,150.
If a campfire escapes its ring and starts a forest fire, fines can be levied from $100,000 to $1 million and those responsible can be sentenced to one year in prison.
