Campfires are permitted again in the Parksville Fire Protection Area as of noon on Sept. 20, due to the decreased risk of wildland urban interface fires.
The ban was lifted in conjunction with the rescinding of the fire prohibition across the south coast by the BC Wildfire Service Coastal Fire Centre, BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, according to a news release by Parksville Volunteer Fire Department.
The public is strongly encouraged to continue exercising extreme caution with any campfire.
Campfires, cooking fires and fires in outdoor fireplaces are now once again permitted, subject to the provisions of applicable municipal and regional district burning bylaws.
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 the San Pareil, Fourneau Road, Wildgreen Road and Martindale Road areas.
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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 Report All Poachers and Polluters line (RAP) 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
For the latest information on fire restrictions in the Parksville Fire Protection Area, visit the Parksville Fire website or follow the Parksville Fire Department on Twitter and Facebook.
— NEWS Staff, submitted