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
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.