PARKSVILLE – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Friday, August 28, 2026, the partial off-road vehicle prohibition will be rescinded across the Coastal Fire Centre. While conditions have improved, we urge recreators to remain vigilant and follow all wildfire prevention regulations when engaging in any activity that could spark a wildfire.
As defined in the Off-Road Vehicle Act and section 2 (a) of the Off-Road Vehicle Regulation, an off-road vehicle (ORV) includes:
- all-terrain vehicles
- motorcycles
- off-road side-by-side vehicles
The rescindment of the ORV prohibition applies to all Crown land that is outside of municipal boundaries. It also applies to the following types of land within municipal boundaries:
- Parks, conservancies and recreation areas (Park Act)
- Recreation sites, recreation trails, interpretive forest sites and trail-based recreation areas (Forest and Range Practices Act)
- Ecological reserves (Ecological Reserve Act)
- Wildlife management areas (Wildlife Act)
- Private managed forest land (Private Managed Forest Land Act)
Municipalities may impose different prohibitions or restrictions based on local conditions. Please check with your local government prior to operating an ORV.
As a reminder, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited throughout the entire Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. As well, the partial Category 1 open fire (campfire) prohibition remains in effect for the following fire zones and associated natural resource districts:
- Mid Island Fire Zone, which includes the South Island Natural Resource District
- South Island Fire Zone, which includes the South Island Natural Resource District
- Pemberton Fire Zone, which encompasses the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
- Fraser Fire Zone (excluding Haida Gwaii), which encompasses the Chilliwack Natural Resource District
The following activities and use of equipment, materials and substances are also prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre:
- Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC
- Binary exploding targets
- Sky Lanterns
- Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
- Controlled air incinerators
- Air curtain burners
- Carbonizers
- Wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building
A map of all current prohibition areas within the Coastal Fire Centre is provided below.
Wildfires are dynamic and conditions can change quickly. Know before you go: Visit our website for current prohibitions and restrictions and check DriveBC for impacts to roadways.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 tollfree, *5555 on a cell phone, or submit an electronic report through the BC Wildfire public mobile app.
Stay up-to-date on the latest wildfire activity:
- Visit BCWildfire.ca
- Download the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app or access the map and dashboard online
- Follow the BC Wildfire Service on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
Contact:
Fire Information Officer
Coastal Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service
250-951-4209
BCWS.CoFCInfo@gov.bc.ca
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect