Recent rainfall has prompted the BC Wildfire Service to rescind open burning prohibitions in Squamish and other areas throughout the Coast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.
This will be effective as of noon on June 19.
“The public is asked to undertake open burning responsibly, and to follow guidelines to ensure their burning is conducted in a safe manner.
While the BC Wildfire Service has developed protocols for staff to safely respond to wildfires and reduce the risk from COVID-19, we ask for the public’s assistance to reduce the likelihood of a forest fire,” reads a news release from the BC Wildfire Service’s Coastal Fire Centre.
As a result, campfires, Category 2 and 3 open fires and resource management burning will once again be permitted.
Category 2 fires refer to open fires burning piled material no larger than two metres high and three metres wide or grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres) in size.
Category 3 fires burn piled materials larger than two metres high and three metres wide, windrows, or grass over larger than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres) in size. The province requires that anyone lighting these types of fires must register at 1-888-797-1717.
Furthermore, local governments may still have their own burning restrictions in place, and people intending to light a fire should always check with local authorities before lighting any fire of any size.
Here are Squamish's rules.
The BC Wildfire Service is asking people to always have water and tools are on hand to control the fire and stop it from escaping. Fires must be attended at all times and no burning should occur in windy conditions.
The Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the area west of Manning Park, including Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park in the north, the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 tollfree or *5555 on a cellphone.
