Campfires
A campfire is an open fire that burns piled material no larger than 0.5 m in height and 0.5 m in width and is used by any person for recreational purpose, or by a First Nation for a ceremonial purpose.
Many British Columbians and visitors to our province enjoy campfires. To prevent your campfire from turning in to a wildfire be sure to:
- Check current campfire restrictions for the area you are in
- Select your campsite and campfire location carefully
- Remove all leaves, twigs and other flammable material from the area around where you plan to light your campfire
- Never have a campfire when it’s windy
- Choose a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks at least three metres from trees, shrubs, structures and debris
- Do not leave a campfire unattended for ANY amount of time
- Keep a bucket of at least eight litres of water close by the fire at all time, and/or a hand tool (such as a shovel) to extinguish the fire properly
- Completely extinguish your campfire before you go to sleep or leave the area for any period of time.
- To extinguish your campfire, pour plenty of water on the fire and surrounding area, dousing the site of the campfire thoroughly. Stir the campfire until there are no embers and the ashes are cold to the touch.
Poorly managed and abandoned campfires result in numerous wildfires each year. Follow the links below to find out the best ways to avoid your campfire from turning into a wildfire.
BACK YARD BURNING
Campfire prohibition lifted for the Coastal Fire Centre
Errington —The campfire prohibition will be lifted in all regions of the Coastal Fire Centre area beginning 12:00 noon, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.
Other activities which will now be permitted in the Coastal Fire Centre include:
The use of tiki and similar kinds of torches;
The use of chimineas; and
The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating.
For detailed information, please refer to the map: http://ow.ly/jUuz50KLGIC
Although the fire danger has declined in the Coastal Fire Centre due to recent rainfall and cooler, more seasonal temperatures, the public is strongly encouraged to continue exercising extreme caution with any campfire. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations. Before lighting any fire, check with local government authorities to see if any local burning restrictions are in place.
While campfires will be allowed in the Coastal Fire Centre, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited, including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and burn cages. These restrictions will remain in place until October 28, 2022, or until the order is rescinded.
A poster explaining the different categories of open burning and applicable regulations is
available online: openburningregs_2022update.pdf
Reminders about campfires:
A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly, and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material.
Maintain a fireguard around your campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil.
Never leave a fire unattended.
Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time
Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires. Always practice safe, responsible fire use where permitted.
To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
Check with your local government or other jurisdictional authorities before lighting a fire of any size since they may have their own restrictions in place.
Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
