Current campfire restrictions are confusing...

[DarekG]

So I was planning on taking a trip for a night or two into crown land around where I live, the plan was for May long weekend and with rain basically being guaranteed I wanted to make sure I could at least have a campfire. Even on a "normal" season it's hard enough to tell what the restrictions are based on Provincial, Regional, and whatever feel-good political bans but now with COVID it's even harder to get a straight answer.

My usual source of truth is: http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp

I figured if a CO or someone had issue and I could show them this page, that I would be in the right. Would others here agree?

I fall under the Kamloops fire region and as of the time of this posting both "Campfires" and "Forest Use" are unrestricted, which to me says I can venture into crown land and have a campfire.

I've taken a few trips onto dirt roads in the past 2 weeks, in both instances I've seen "No Campfires" signs nailed up on the major roads and entrances. Are these municipal bans? Are these provincial bans?

From my current understanding you can not go to a provincial or federal park and have a campfire, but its OK on crown land?

[adriaticum]

It's clear as day.
If you want a camp fire, you can have one.

[walks with deer]

the signs up i believe are for no burning eg grass or brush piles to clean uo your land after the winter.

[Yuritau]

Make sure you double check right before you head out. This page is good to look at too: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/wildfire-situation/fire-danger

The closer to extreme things get, the more likely they are to start putting bans in effect.

[338win mag]

IIRC there was/is a campfire ban in the north OK? and in the central regional district as well?

[CranePete]

My understanding, from the website, is that campfires .5m wide x .5m high are allowed. Google BC campfires.

[Salty]

Forestry is great at putting up signs but the shits at taking them down.



I've taken a few trips onto dirt roads in the past 2 weeks, in both instances I've seen "No Campfires" signs nailed up on the major roads and entrances. Are these municipal bans? Are these provincial bans?

Around here the fire hazard is presently "very low" yet just about every forestry road is posted No Campfires. These signs have been up since the 2017 mega fire season. I'm not sure if Kamloops area is the same but I wouldn't be surprised.

[Essential]

That website link is for provincial bans, and under the wildfire act is valid for any part of BC outside of a municipality that has bylaw that relates to open burning - inside a municipal boundary you have to check with the municipality as their bans/openings can be different

http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/04031_01

[REMINGTON JIM]

My understanding, from the website, is that campfires .5m wide x .5m high are allowed. Google BC campfires.

YUP a 19" x 19 " Campfire - not a Brush Burning fire like all you LML Weekend Warriors Light Up ! :p :D RJ

[boxhitch]

19x19 ? Where do you find pallets that size?

[snipersights]

Just take an extinguisher and a few 4 litres of water. Be respectful and if they come just say sorry I thought it was ok. Usually they’re pretty good.

[bchunter181]

dont undertsand the confusion its very simple just have to read IMO category 2 and 3 are prohibited. campfires are fine. must follow few rules. dont read always follow signs as someone mentioned they are quick to put them up but very slow if ever to take them down.

8 litres of water,
Your campfire must becompletely extinguished and theashes must be cool to the touchbefore leaving the area
You must build a fire guardaround your campfire

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions/7539_openburningregs_posterupdate_webfile.pdf

[Ron.C]

Here's a another link to a simple straight forward poster that the BC govt put out on what a campfire is.



https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions/bcws_campfireposter.pdf


Note the fine that can be imposed for those who want to play dumb and think they can simply say " sorry I thought it was ok".

Seen this last year. About an hour after an older gentleman advised some campers that their fire was too large and was told to F' off, a CO rolled into the area and two parties of campers were issued fines and were escorted out of the area. They were kissing ass yes sir, no sir to the CO. Was good entertainment.

Here's the link to current BC fire bans and restrictions:

http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp

[708]

There are currently no restrictions on campfires anywhere in the province. Open burning (cat 2 and cat 3) is prohibited in all areas of the province (public and private).

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions

http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp