As temperatures rise and conditions become drier, a sweeping campfire ban will go into effect for most of B.C.’s south coast.
The Coastal Fire Centre confirmed it would prohibit campfires and category three open burning as of noon Wednesday.
The latest ban was issued with temperatures expected to climb to 30 degrees and above in some parts of the region throughout the week.
“It’s going to continue to get dry. Thursday may be one of the driest days of the year,” said Coastal Fire Centre spokeswoman Marg Drysdale.
She said despite dramatically increased wildfire-related fines that went into effect earlier this year, some people still aren’t getting the message about proper fire management.
“It’s the human factor. We’re dealing with, every single weekend, abandoned campfires,” she said. “It’s getting better to a certain extent, but it’s old habits that are dying hard.”
In April, the fine for ignoring a fire restriction like a campfire ban jumped from $345 to more than $1,100.
Failing to properly put out a burning substance – including a cigarette – will now net offenders a $575 ticket.
Category two open fires were already placed under a ban in early May.
The ban applies to all B.C. parks, Crown lands and private lands within the region with the exception of Vancouver Island’s “Fog Zone” and Haida Gwaii.
The Coastal Fire Centre defines campfires as anything under a half-metre by half-metre in size, while category three open fires are larger than two metres by three metres in size.
In addition to fires, the ban also applies to Tiki torches, fireworks, sky lanterns and shooting targets such as Tannerite.
The Coastal Fire Centre said it has recorded 140 wildfires to date this year in the region.
The region comprises the Sunshine Coast, Pemberton, the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island.
