The BC Wildfire Service has issued a reminder that most open burning activities have been prohibited throughout British Columbia since Thursday, April 16.

These prohibitions apply to all public and private land within British Columbia, unless specified otherwise (e.g., in a local government bylaw) and will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified.

The following activities are currently prohibited in B.C.:

• Category 2 open fires;
• Category 3 open fires;
• Resource Management open fires;
• the use of fireworks;
• the use of sky lanterns; and
• the use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description (except when used for a campfire no larger than 0.5 metres wide by 0.5 metres high).

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation remains dynamic in British Columbia and elsewhere around the world, and we recognize this causes concern for many of our partners and stakeholders.

The BC Wildfire Service continues to prepare for the 2020 freshet and wildfire seasons and is adapting in response to changing conditions. Typically, human-caused fires are more common in the spring due to field and debris burning. By enacting an earlier province-wide burning prohibition, the BC Wildfire Service anticipates a reduction in human-caused wildfires. This will minimize the need to deploy staff, which help to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19.

For further information about the current prohibitions, please review the attached Information Bulletin. For the most up-to-date prohibition information, as well as a poster explaining the different categories of open burning, please visit the BC Wildfire Service “Fire Bans and Restrictions” page.

BC Wildfire Service

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