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Campfire ban starting June 20 in Sechelt

The Sechelt Fire Department has imposed a campfire ban within its protection area as of June 20 at noon. The ban also includes beach fires, both above and below the high tide mark.
Danger map
A map showing the wildfire danger ratings for B.C. as of June 18

The Sechelt Fire Department has imposed a campfire ban within its protection area as of June 20 at noon.

The ban also includes beach fires, both above and below the high tide mark.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the fire danger rating on the Sunshine Coast is now at “high” and there have already been four person-caused wildfires in the area since the season started April 1.

As of Coast Reporter’s deadline, however, the Coastal Fire Centre had not issued any campfire bans and neither had other fire departments serving the Sunshine Coast.

Coastal Fire Centre regulations apply to areas outside local fire department jurisdictions, but most local fire departments will follow the agency’s lead when it comes to imposing campfire bans.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District confirmed this week that its fire departments are awaiting word from the Coastal Fire Centre before restricting campfires.

Officials with the Fire Centre said they were monitoring the situation daily and would impose a ban if the risks warrant one. 

A ban on Category 2 open burning has been in place since the end of May. It covers the typical backyard burns consisting of piles up to two metres high and three metres wide, as well as burning “stubble or grass,” fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description, and binary exploding targets which give off a flash when hit .