Fire ban for coastal B.C. begins this week
As British Columbia contends with an early summer heatwave, the province's Coastal Fire Centre says most open burning activities will be banned starting Wednesday.
Beginning June 23, category 2 and 3 open fires will be prohibited along the province's coast, with the exception of Haida Gwaii.
Category 2 fires include open fires that are between a half-metre tall and a half-metre wide by two metres tall by three metres wide, while category 3 fires are considered anything larger than two metres tall by three metres wide.
Fireworks, burn barrels, sky lanterns and binary exploding targets are also prohibited under a category 2 fire ban.
B.C.'s Coastal Fire Centre includes Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the Gulf Islands. According to the province, more than 75 per cent of B.C.'s overall population lives within the Coastal Fire Centre's boundaries.
The upcoming fire ban does not include campfires that are smaller than a half-metre tall and wide, or cooking stoves that use propane, gas, or briquettes.
While small campfires are permitted, the Coastal Fire Centre is reminding residents that campfires must be surrounded by a fireguard – such as a ring made of stones – and that at least one person must have a hand tool capable of putting out the fire, or at least eight litres of water available to extinguish the flames.
The fire centre adds that while the province is allowing small campfires, specific municipalities may have their own bylaws, and residents are encouraged to check their local rules before starting a fire.
People found breaking B.C.'s fire ban could face a range of fines, including a $1,150 ticket, an administrative penalty up to $10,000, or a fine up to $100,000 and up to one year in prison if convicted in court. People who break the fire ban and contribute to the start of a wildfire may also be on the hook for firefighting costs.
If you spot a wildfire or someone breaking a fire ban, you can call the B.C. Wildfire Service at 1-800-663-5555.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Leonardo DiCaprio criticizes Ottawa over B.C. salmon farms
Salmon farms have long been a point of contention between environmentalists and fish farmers in British Columbia, but a much bigger net is now being cast on the topic.
Flight from Israel to New Jersey diverted to New York state due to high winds, turbulence
High winds and turbulence have forced a United Airlines flight from Israel to be diverted from its destination of Newark Airport in New Jersey to Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, N.Y..
Vancouver rapper falls on ice during Canucks game performance
The Vancouver Canucks weren’t the only ones who stumbled during Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Stars.
Snow-covered bodies of 2 men from Senegal found in New York woods near Canadian border
Two men from Senegal froze to death were found in the snow of a wooded area close to the Canadian border, New York state police said.
This historical tavern in Toronto is closing after nearly 200 years
An historic downtown Toronto bar is closing its doors next week after nearly 200 years in business.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
Manhattan DA suggests Donald Trump violated gag order with post about daughter of hush-money trial judge
Manhattan prosecutors suggested Friday that Donald Trump violated a gag order in his hush-money criminal case this week by assailing the judge's daughter and making a false claim about her on social media.
Niagara Region 'proactively' declares state of emergency ahead of total solar eclipse
Niagara Region says it has declared a state of emergency 'out of an abundance of caution' as it prepares for an influx of visitors for next month’s total solar eclipse.