Campfire Ban in place in District of Squamish starting July 9, 2024 at noon

High Risk Construction Activity Regulations also now in place requiring interface construction work to cease at 13:00 unless exemption permit is in place

The District of Squamish will implement a municipal campfire ban effective Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at noon due to the ongoing hot and dry weather, and high (approaching extreme) fire danger rating. The dry conditions and extreme temperatures mean that forest fuels are very dry and the fire risk is serious. New fires may start easily, burn vigorously, and challenge fire suppression efforts and resources.

A ban on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires also continues. All open fires within the District of Squamish are prohibited until these bans are rescinded.

This campfire ban within the District of Squamish is being implemented ahead of a provincial campfire ban. All campfires within the District will be prohibited and all campfire permits will be suspended until the ban is rescinded. Campfire permit holders will receive a notification of the ban and suspension of the permit.

The following activities are prohibited under the bans:

• Campfires (category 1)
• Category 2, category 3 open fires
• Fireworks
• Sky Lanterns
• Binary Exploding Targets
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
• Air Curtain Burners
• Tiki torches
• Wood-burning saunas and hot tubs

Never allowed within District of Squamish boundaries:

• Fires in any public space including forests, riverbanks, mountainside, beaches
• Open Air Burning, including but not limited to, yard waste, garden debris and construction materials

The campfire prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, or propane, or portable campfire devices that use liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided they are CSA or ULC approved, and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 911 if within the municipal boundaries or call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. 

Construction High Risk Activity Regulations in Place Now

The Fire Danger Rating for the District of Squamish is currently at day four of a High Fire Danger Rating. This means that contractors or those doing construction or other activities within a forest interface area must have an approved Exemption Permit from Squamish Fire Rescue to continue work past 13:00 hours. All high-risk activities by any business, contractor, facility or their operations within 10 metres of a wildland interface area shall cease work at 13:00 hours and establish a fire watch each day for a period of two hours (13:00 - 15:00 hours). 

For information about the danger class ratings and high-risk activity examples, visit squamish.ca/fire-rescue/restrictions-and-bans/.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity throughout the province, visit: bcwildfire.ca.

July 9, 2024