As drought conditions continue across the province and in particular on Vancouver Island, fire restrictions have been expanded to help prevent wildfires in our region.
At this time, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre's jurisdiction. This prohibition is intended to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. The prohibition covers all B.C. Parks, Crown lands and private lands within the Coastal Fire Centre. A map of the affected area is available at http://bit.ly/1e0E97a
The prohibition includes:
• Burning of any material (piled or unpiled) smaller than two metres in height and three metres in width.
• Burning of stubble or grass fires over an area less than 2,000 square metres.
• Use of fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description.
• Use of binary exploding targets (such as for rifle target practice).
The prohibition does not apply to campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller and does not apply to cooking stoves which use gas, propane or briquettes.
The City of Parksville's Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 1427 includes a range of fines between $150 and $400 related to the possession and prohibition fireworks discharge without a permit.
— City of Parksville news release