Category 2 and Category 3 fires prohibited beginning May 18 at noon

Update: Campfires prohibited in British Columbia as of noon, June 8. Learn more.

BC Wildfire Service has issued a provincial ban Category 2 and Category 3 open fires effective as of 12 p.m. on Thursday, May 18.

The District of Squamish will follow the lead by placing a ban on all Category 2 and Category 3 open fires as of Thursday, May 18 at noon. All open fires within the District of Squamish will be prohibited until the provincial fire ban is rescinded. 

In addition to these prohibitions, BC Wildfire Service will be restricting the following activities:

• Fireworks
• Sky Lanterns
• Binary Exploding Targets
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
• Air Curtain Burners

A Category 2 fire is defined as:

• One to two concurrently burning piles no larger than 2 metres high by 3 metres wide
• Stubble or grass burning over an area less than 0.2 hectares

A Category 3 fire is defined as:

• Any fire larger than 2 metres high by 3 metres wide
• Three or more concurrently burning piles no larger than 2 metres high by 3 metres wide
• One or more burning windrows
• Stubble or grass burning over an area greater than 0.2 hectares

Category 2 and 3 fires are not permitted within the District of Squamish at any time without a permit from the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations. 

What is allowed:

Residential campfires on one's private property are currently allowed within the District of Squamish. Residents wishing to light a campfire at their home must first obtain a permit from the Fire Chief. Permits can be applied for online or in person at Alex Munro Fire Hall 1 located at  37890 Clarke Drive.

Please note the following are strictly prohibited within the District of Squamish boundaries.

• Fires in any public space (ie: forests, riverbanks, mountainside, beaches).

• Open Air Burning, including but not limited to, yard waste, garden debris and construction materials.

General Burning Restrictions and Requirements:

• The only allowable material burned in the campfire consists of dry seasoned fire wood.
• The campfire must be continuously supervised and controlled by a competent adult, and must be equipped and knowledgeable in the use of extinguishing equipment and materials.
• The campfire must be no greater than 0.5 metres in height or diameter, nor shall it extend in any way beyond the permitted space, or location.
• Smoke from the campfire must not create a nuisance to other persons in the vicinity.
• At any time, the Fire Chief or designated officer may cancel or suspend any permit issued under this bylaw.
• Please see the complete Fire Service Bylaw in order to ensure compliance.

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. 

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.

May 18, 2023