Campfires will be permitted throughout the Parksville Fire Protection Area as of noon on Aug. 28.
The lifting of the closure on campfires is in conjunction with the rescinding of the fire prohibition across the south coast by the BC Wildfire Service Coastal Fire Centre, according to a news release by Parksville Fire Rescue.
Although the fire danger has declined, the public is strongly encouraged to continue exercising extreme caution with any campfire.
Campfires, cooking fires and fires in outdoor fireplaces will be permitted subject to the provisions of applicable municipal and regional district burning bylaws.
Applicable bylaws include:
• City of Parksville – Bylaw No. 1428 Outdoor Burning Bylaw
• Regional District of Nanaimo - FRENCH CREEK – Bylaw No. 920 A Bylaw to Regulate Outdoor Burning
• Regional District of Nanaimo - PARKSVILLE (Local) SPECIFIED FIRE PROTECTION AREA - Bylaw No. 922, Bylaw to Regulate Outdoor Burning
Affected areas include the City of Parksville, French Creek areas bordering the City of Parksville to the edge of the fire protection area at Johnston and Drew Roads, Hodges Road and Parksville local specified fire protection areas including San Pareil, Fourneau Road, Wildgreen Road and Martindale Road areas.
All campfires must be supervised by an adult and anyone who lights a campfire must have an adequate water supply nearby to extinguish it. Fires must never be left unattended and must be completely extinguished before leaving the site for any length of time.
Beach fires are not permitted at any time in the Parksville Qualicum Wildlife Management Area which includes the entire waterfront area in the Parksville Fire Protection Area. Beach fires are provincial jurisdiction and should be reported to the RAPP line (Report All Poachers and Polluters) at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP).
Reporting should be as follows:
• Fire emergency (threat to lives and/or property) 911
• Illegal or nuisance fire in the Parksville Fire Protection Area 250 248-3242
• Beach fires (RAPP line) 1-877-952-7277
The Town of Qualicum Beach has also lifted the ban on campfires as of noon Aug. 28. Fires in outdoor fireplaces are now permitted in accordance with the Town's Bylaw 715 and as outlined in the Town's Outdoor Burning FAQ qualicumbeach.com/fire_regulate. Beach fires are not permitted at any time in the Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area.
For the latest information on fire restrictions in the Parksville Fire Protection Area, visit the Parksville Fire website or follow Parksville Fire on social media.
