Campfires prohibited in British Columbia as of noon, June 8

The District of Squamish is joining the BC Wildfire Service in issuing a ban on all Category 1 campfires effective Thursday, June 8, 2023, at noon. This extends throughout District of Squamish boundaries and across British Columbia. All open fires including campfires will be prohibited and all campfire permits within the District of Squamish will be suspended until the fire ban is rescinded. 

The prohibition will be in effect until Tuesday, October 31, 2023, or until the order is rescinded. 

Extreme temperatures and dry weather conditions have prompted the ban in order to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. 

“Tinder dry conditions around Squamish especially this early in the season is very concerning,” says Squamish Fire Chief Bill Stoner. “The District is working with all our partners locally to educate visitors and locals, and enforce when necessary. Thank you to members of the public who practice vigilance during these times.”

Additional precautions are being undertaken across the province including fire warden patrols, fixed-wing aircraft patrols and an active enforcement presence. Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility, human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires. The BC Wildfire Service is constantly monitoring current and forecast conditions and maintaining preparedness. 

Here in Squamish and surrounding area, provincial and municipal enforcement officers will enforce and fine as required. Squamish Nation Guardians will also work throughout the Squamish Nation territory to provide education about the ban.

A campfire as defined by the wildfire regulation is any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.  

In addition to campfires, Category 2, and Category 3 open fire ban remains in effect and the following activities are also prohibited:  

• Fireworks;
• Sky Lanterns;
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description;
• Binary Exploding Targets;
• Air curtain burners;
• Tiki and similar kind of torches; and
• Chimineas.

This prohibition does not apply to CSA-rated or ULC-rated cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, so long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone , or 9.1.1 within municipal boundaries.  

Persons who do not comply with current fire bans within Squamish under Section 11.1 (b) of the District of Squamish Fire Service Bylaw No.2314, 2014 may be subject to a $250.00 fine as per Schedule I of the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No.1832, 2004.

The FireSmart Begins at Home Manual was developed to help people reduce the risk of personal property damage due to wildfires.  Download your copy here: https://firesmartbc.ca/resource-types/guides-manuals/ 

For further fire prevention information and resources, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention 

Learn More: 

Follow the latest wildfire news: 

• Get the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS)and Android devices 
• Follow on Twitter: com/BCGovFireInfo
• Follow Facebook: com/BCForestFireInfo

For the latest information on current wildfire activity throughout the province, go to http://www.bcwildfire.ca.

June 8, 2023