Campfire and backyard burning prohibitions to be rescinded in Coastal Fire Centre

September 24, 2025

PARKSVILLE—The Category 1 (campfire) and Category 2 (backyard burning) prohibitions in the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction will be rescinded in all areas effective at 12:00 pm (noon), Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), on Thursday, September 25, 2025. In addition, the Category 3 (Industrial Burning) prohibition will be rescinded in the North Island Centre Coast Forest District and the Haida Gwaii Forest District at the same time and date.

On September 17, 2025, the campfire prohibition was lifted in the Campbell River Forest District, the North Island Central Coast Forest District, and the Sunshine Coast Forest District.

A map of the upcoming changes is below and available online.

25 Coastal MAP S10S12 Prohibition Color Info 8X11L Sep 23 Download

Other activities which were previously prohibited, but will now be permitted within the Coastal Fire Centre include:

The use of sky lanterns
The use of 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.
Binary exploding targets.
Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act of BC.
Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description.
Controlled air incinerators.

Category 3 open fires remain prohibited in all Forest Districts of the Coastal Fire Centre other than the North Island Central Coast Forest District and Haida Gwaii Forest District. This includes industrial burning, and the use of air curtain burners and carbonizers. These restrictions will remain in place until 12:00 pm (noon), PDT, on Friday October 31, 2025, or until the order is rescinded.

Check with your local government or other jurisdictional authorities before lighting a fire of any size and abide by any bylaws or restrictions that are in place in your area.

Although fire danger ratings have declined throughout the Coastal Fire Centre as a result of recent rainfall, along with shorter days, longer nights and cooler temperatures, the public is encouraged to continue exercising caution with the use of any open fire. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations.

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. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

For a map of Fire Centre boundaries: please click here

Reminders about Open Burning:

A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide;

Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material;
Maintain a fireguard around your campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil;
Never leave a fire unattended;
Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

“category 2 open fire” which means an open fire, other than a campfire, that

burns material in one pile not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width,
burns material concurrently in 2 piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width, or
burns stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 ha.

“category 3 open fire” which means an open fire that burns

material concurrently in 3 or more piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width,
material in one or more piles each exceeding 2 m in height or 3 m in width,
one or more windrows, or
stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 ha.