All open burning, including campfires, is now prohibited within the District of Hope and surrounding areas.
The Coastal Fire Centre issued the ban today (July 17) in an effort to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. The fire danger rating is currently high throughout most of the Coastal region, with scattered pockets of extreme.
The prohibition applies to campfires and open burning of any size or description, including fires with a burn registration number and industrial burning. The use of fireworks, burning barrels, tiki torches and sky lanterns is also not permitted. The prohibition does not apply to CSA-rated or ULC-rated cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
Anyone found in violation of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
This prohibition will remain in place until Oct.15, or until the public is notified that it has been rescinded.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free 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://bcwildfire.ca