The escalating hot and dry conditions have raised the fire hazard prompting the open fire ban to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fireworks are also prohibited during this ban, and the District has cancelled Canada Day fireworks on July 1 due to the high risk. The issuance of current backyard campfire permits is also suspended until further notice.
Effective Saturday, June 27, 2015 at noon, all open campfires in backyards, Provincial Park and private campgrounds, and on Crown or private land within the District of Squamish are prohibited.
This ban follows the Coastal Fire Centre’s opening burning prohibition that covers all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands outside of areas covered by local fire prevention bylaw. All other types of open fires are prohibited including backyard burning or land-clearing burn piles. Burning barrels, fireworks, firecrackers and sky lanterns are also included in this list.
“It is of dire importance that everyone adheres to this ban to reduce the possibility of a human-caused wildfire and protect public safety,” says Bill Stoner, Deputy Fire Chief, Squamish Fire Rescue. “The dry conditions and rising temperatures create very dangerous forest fuel conditions.”
This prohibition does not apply to CSA-rated or ULC-rated cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire aapparatus that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, so long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
The fire ban will remain in effect until further notice.
Please contact Squamish Fire Rescue at 604.898.9666 for further information. Call 911 to report fire.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity throughout the province, go to http://www.bcwildfire.ca
