Despite the recent rain, the District of Tumbler Ridge would like to remind residents there is still an open burning ban currently in effect for the District and surround areas.
This prohibition applies to Category 1 (Campfires), Category 2 and Category 3 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulations.
As of now, this prohibition is scheduled to remain in effect until 12:00 (noon) on Sunday, October 15, 2023. However, that could be rescinded if weather allows.
“Prohibitions apply to all public and private lands unless otherwise specified (e.g. in an enactment or local government bylaw),” says a note on the District’s website.
In addition to prohibiting the use of open fire of any size, the following activities remain prohibited:
- The use of tiki and/or similar kinds of torches
- The use of chimineas
- The use of outdoor stoves or other portable campfire apparatus without a CSA or ULC rating
- The use of fireworks and sky lanterns
- The use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size
- The use of binary exploding targets or air curtain burners
“During campfire prohibitions, only CSA-rated or ULC-rated outdoor stoves or portable campfire apparatuses that use gas, propane or briquettes may be used; however, when conditions warrant, the use of portable campfire apparatus or outdoor stoves may be further restricted or prohibited. Please check the BC Wildfire Service Bans and Restrictions webpage for the most current prohibitions for your area.”
While it might seem safe to have a fire in your back yard, there is a danger to both the forest and to your wallet, as 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. Even worse, if the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
For updates on the current wildfire situation, including full incident details for Wildfires of Note, please visit
www.BCWildfire.ca.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
