High fire danger rating leading to prohibition orders across Vancouver Island
Effective at noon on Thursday, May 7, the Central Saanich Fire Department is banning open burning activities in alignment with BC Wildfire Service prohibition orders. The open burning ban comes early this year, with rising wildfire risk due to above-average temperatures and increasingly dry conditions.
This prohibition is enacted for public safety and to help reduce preventable wildfires caused by human activity. It's often people, rather than causes like lightning, that are responsible for starting wildfires on Vancouver Island.
The high fire danger rating in Central Saanich means that forest fuels are very dry, and the fire risk is serious. New fires may start easily, burn vigorously and challenge fire suppression efforts. Extreme caution must be used in any forest activities.
During the ban, Category 1, 2 and 3 open fires are prohibited. This includes recreational campfires, cultural burning and open burning for yard waste, agriculture and land clearing. Other activities, like fireworks and wood-burning outdoor appliances, are also prohibited. The ban does not include the safe use of propane camp stoves and propane fire pits. For a full list of prohibited activities and equipment, go to CSFire.ca.
The open fire prohibition will be in place until October, or until the order is rescinded. Residents are reminded that beach fires are prohibited year-round.
More information: Learn more at CSFire.ca.