A very dry May has pushed wildfire danger ratings up on the Sunshine Coast, but not high enough to prompt a campfire ban from the BC Wildfire Service.
Only two days of rain, with a total of 9.8 mm, were recorded at the Sechelt weather station as of May 30, but with cool temperatures and showers in the forecast, Environment Canada was not prepared to predict whether the Sunshine Coast was on track to set a record for lack of rain by Coast Reporter’s Wednesday deadline.
With the dry weather, fire danger ratings have now hit high in the Pender Harbour area and much of the backcountry, but remain at moderate on the lower Sunshine Coast.
Although campfires are still being allowed, the Coastal Fire Centre issued a Category 2 open burning ban late last week.
Category 2 fires include: material (piled or unpiled) smaller than two metres high and three metres wide, burning of stubble or grass over an area less than 2,000 sq. metres, the use of fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description, and the use of binary exploding targets for target shooting.
Local regulations take precedence over Coastal Fire Centre bans. In Gibsons, for example, open burning including campfires and beach fires is banned year-round. Sechelt bans all open burning other than campfires.
Sunshine Coast Regional District bylaws allow open burning at certain times of year only – check with your local fire department.
