Dry conditions across much of southern British Columbia triggered campfire bans.
The bans go into effect at noon Thursday in three of the province’s six fire centers to reduce the risk of wildfires and protect public safety.
This includes the Coastal Fire Center, which covers the Lower Mainland, the Sea to Sky region, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.
Kamloops and the Southeast Fire Center are also affected.
The ban covers all British Columbia parks, Crown lands and private lands, but campfires will still be allowed on Haida Gwaii.
“The ban does not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has wildfire prevention by-laws and is served by a fire service,” reads a bulletin from the BC Wildfire Service.
Residents are urged to check their municipality’s rules before lighting a fire.
“At this point just based on the weather that we’re seeing and the fuel conditions, it really doesn’t take much to start a wildfire and so it’s really important that people follow these bans and be safe and responsible especially when they’re out in the province,” said Nadia Leaning, fire information officer for the British Columbia Wildfire Service.
Fireworks, sky lanterns and burn barrels are also not permitted.
The ban does not apply to cooking stoves or portable campfire devices that use gas, propane or briquettes if the flame height is less than 15 centimeters.
Shalon Sims decided to pack up her campsite at Golden Ears Provincial Park early after learning of the ban.
“Surely we’ll be leaving now. There’s no real point in camping when you can’t start a fire. There’s just nothing to do all evening,” Sims said.
She said she was disappointed but understood why officials made the move.
“A campfire does more than just enjoy it properly, it stops mosquitoes. So if there’s no campfire, you’re just going to be eaten alive,” she told CTV News.
The Wong family also cut short their camping trip.
“Campfires are a big part of camping. But when it gets really dry, campfire bans can help stop a lot of the big fires that we sometimes have in British Columbia,” Jack Wong said as he sat by the fire.
Anyone who disobeys the ban can be ticketed for $1,150 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to a year in jail.
If the violation causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible can be fined up to $100,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and related costs.
There are currently about 90 active wildfires burning across the province, most of them caused by lightning.
Anyone who sees a wildfire is urged to report it by calling toll-free 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone.
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