Many British Columbians enjoy campfires (also known as Category 1 Open Fire) during the summer months, and fire is often used for Indigenous cultural and ceremonial purposes. Every year nearly half of all wildfires are human caused, and a some of those are the result of unattended or irresponsible campfires.
In the first half of June, BC experienced record-breaking warm and dry conditions, significantly increasing the risk of accidental human-caused wildfire. That’s why the BC Wildfire Service enacted a Category 1 campfire prohibition for many parts of the province on Thursday, June 8, 2023. A recent return to more seasonal conditions allowed for those prohibitions to be rescinded in the Kamloops and Cariboo Fire Centres on June 16, 2023.
The decision to enact or rescind a prohibition is carefully considered based on several factors. Watch the video below to learn more about how wildfire experts make decisions about prohibitions:
Category 1 campfire is defined as:
- Any fire no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide (a fire larger than this is considered a Category 2 open fire).
- Used by any person for recreational purposes or for Indigenous cultural or ceremonial purposes.
Category 1 campfire prohibitions
British Columbia is a large and geographically diverse province. For that reason, decisions on when and where to implement fire bans and restrictions are made by B.C.’s six regional fire centres.
Multiple factors are considered when assessing wildfire hazards and deciding whether to implement or rescind an open fire prohibition, including:
- Current and forecasted weather conditions
- Current wildfire activity
- The availability of firefighting resources
- Fire weather indices, including the Buildup Index (BUI)
- Public events
The Buildup Index, or BUI, represents the total amount of fuel available to burn on the landscape, and considers moisture content and the overall effects of seasonal drought. Campfire bans are typically enforced when over 50% of the weather stations within a defined geographic area surpass the BUI threshold established for that area. BUI thresholds vary throughout the province.
The threshold for a given area is based in part on the area’s assigned fuel type. Different fuel types respond differently to fire, and fire behaviour experts use that information to determine how volatile a region may be, how intensely and deeply a potential fire will burn, and how difficult it might be to suppress that fire.
Learn more about BUI, fuel types and other fire weather indices.
Safety and responsibility
In areas where campfires are not prohibited, there are lots of things you can do to limit risk and enjoy campfires responsibly. Follow these essential steps before, during and after having a campfire:
- Check with local governments and other authorities (e.g., BC Parks) to see if any burning restrictions or bylaws are in effect.
- Choose a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks at least three metres from trees, shrubs, structures and debris.
- Always have at least eight litres of water or a hand tool available while your campfire is lit.
- Do not leave a campfire unattended for ANY amount of time.
- Before you leave the area for any amount of time, your campfire MUST be fully extinguished. The ashes of your fire must be cool to the touch.
Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, 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. Violators could also be held responsible for damages to Crown resources, which could be significant.
Reporting
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open fire violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
Did you know you can now report a wildfire using our BC Wildfire Service mobile app? Use the “Report a Fire” function to submit an electronic report and upload a photo. You must have data or a WiFi connection to submit a report. A video tutorial in the “Help” section explains how to report a fire in the app. Download the BC Wildfire Service Mobile App for free on all iOS (Apple) and Android devices.
Additional resources: