Campfire ban to be implemented in District of Squamish on Thursday at noon
The District of Squamish will implement a municipal campfire ban effective 12 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024, due to ongoing dry weather and current wildfires causing a drain on provincial wildfire resources. The District will also implement the Coastal Fire Centre ban on all Category 2 and Category 3 open fires. All open fires within the District of Squamish will be prohibited until these bans are rescinded.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 All campfires within the District will be prohibited and all campfire permits will be suspended until the ban is rescinded.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.
“Community awareness and early reporting is key to being prepared in the event of a wildfire and we all have a responsibility to support this effort and follow the advice of local authorities,” says District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford. “Thank you to our residents and visitors for your vigilance as we approach the summer season.”
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
“With several wildfires burning throughout the province already in May, both provincial and municipal resources are already being utilized, and it’s important to consider this in our community safety planning,” says Squamish Fire Rescue Chief Aaron Foote. “Thank you for your cooperation to help keep our community safe in advance of the long, hot summer ahead.”
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.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity throughout the province, go to http://www.bcwildfire.ca.
May 14, 2024