Campfire ban lifted within District of Squamish as of noon on Friday, September 3

Effective Friday, September 3, 2021 at 12 p.m. (noon) Pacific Standard Time, the campfire prohibition in the Coastal Fire Centre will be lifted in all regions of the jurisdictional area except for the South Island Resource District area. The Campfire Prohibition will also be rescinded in the Squamish region effective at noon on Friday, September 3. For detailed information, please refer to the map: http://ow.ly/6LFz30rSNQ3

Campfires within the District of Squamish are only permitted with a residential campfire permit on private property. No campfires are permitted on public lands within the District of Squamish boundary. 

Although fire danger ratings have declined in much of the Coastal Fire Centre region due to recent rainfall and cooler 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 (except for the South Island Resource District), 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 These restrictions will remain in place until October 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded. A poster explaining the different categories of open burning and applicable regulations is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs.

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.

Other activities which will now be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre area except for the South Island Resource District, 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.

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, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1.800.663.5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

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.

September 3, 2021