In alignment with the fire ban issued by the Province of British Columbia, effective at 1 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) on Wednesday, June 30, campfires, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires will be prohibited in the District of Elkford until further notice.

This ban on opening burning is in effect due to unusually dry conditions, record-breaking temperatures and the high-to-extreme fire danger ratings in the Southeast Fire Region.

Note that this fire ban includes any burning on private and public land, including backyard fire pits on private property (Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw, No. 687, 2008).

A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide. In addition to campfires, Category 2, and Category 3 open fires, the following activities are also prohibited:

• The use of fireworks and sky lanterns;
• The use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description;
• The use of binary exploding targets;
• The use of tiki and similar kinds of torches;
• The use of chimineas;
• The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating

The use of air curtain burners.

The prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel (as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres). Using of any type of campfire apparatus that does not meet these specifications is prohibited.

A public notice will be issued by the District of Elkford when this prohibition is lifted within municipal limits.

Visit www.bcwildfire.ca to learn more and to view the latest updates on fire restrictions, wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories.

Please do your part to prevent wildfires by adhering to current fire bans and restrictions, disposing of cigarette butts responsibly and remaining mindful of the conditions while recreating in the backcountry.

Note that failing to adhere to fire bans and restrictions can lead to serious fines and penalties. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report an unattended campfire or open-burning violation, contact Elkford Fire Rescue at 250-865-4020. To report a wildfire, please call 911 immediately.

District of Elkford

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