EXTENSION – In an effort to protect public safety and prevent human-caused wildfires, the Province of British Columbia and Extension Fire Department has issued a prohibition order on all active burning activities, including campfires. This restriction applies to the Coastal Fire Centre which includes the Extension and District and Nanaimo River Fire protection areas and will remain in effect until further notice.
The open fire restriction order, effective from noon June 8th, 2023, encompasses the following activities:
- Campfires: Any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide is strictly prohibited.
- Category 2 Open Fires: These include fires burning material in one pile not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width, fires concurrently burning material in 2 piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width, or fires burning stubble or grass over an area not exceeding 0.2 ha.
- Category 3 Open Fires: This category includes fires concurrently burning material in 3 or more piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width, fires burning material in one or more piles each exceeding 2 m in height or 3 m in width, fires burning one or more windrows, or fires burning stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 ha.
To further ensure public safety, the following activities are also prohibited under the Wildfire Act, Section 12:
• Use of fireworks
• Use of sky lanterns
• Use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
• Use of binary exploding targets
• Use of tiki and similar kinds of torches
• Use of chimineas
• Use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) rating
We kindly request that all residents and visitors respect these open fire restrictions and refrain from engaging in prohibited activities. By doing so, we can collectively contribute to the prevention of wildfires and ensure the safety of our community.
For further information on the different categories of open burning, please refer to the poster available online at www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Let’s work together to safeguard our environment and maintain a fire-safe community.
Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, 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.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open fire violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures, and air quality advisories go to http://www.bcwildfire.ca
