As of Wednesday at noon, campfires and other open fires will be banned across the province.
The ban, set to be in effect until Oct. 15, comes with a weather forecast calling for record-breaking temperatures this week and follows a spring of lower-than-average precipitation in the southern half of the province.
The B.C. Wildfire Service has undertaken additional fire precautions, including fire-warden patrols, fixed-wing aircraft patrols and active enforcement presence.
Along with open fires, fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels or burn cages, tiki and other garden torches and campfire stoves that are not rated by the Canadian Standards Association or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada are prohibited.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition could be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, could be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, could be fined up to $100,000 and 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.
