Due to recent weather the Coastal Region (including Vancouver Island) has a camp fire ban as of July 23rd. “all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, will be prohibited across the Coastal Fire Center to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

This ban applies to open fires of any size, campfires, fireworks, tiki torches and burning barrels. The ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to portable gaseous powered campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC ratings that the operator maintains with a flame length no longer than 15 centimeters. Portable campfire apparatus that do not meet these conditions are prohibited.” (Coastal Fire Center)  For the full story please check the BC Forest Fire Information Website.

As of Late July and early August a lot of Vancouver Island including Shawnigan Lake is rated as an EXTREME FIRE HAZARD. Please remember that even a few days of rain is not enough to reduce this hazard. All burning is still banned. Please check the BC Forest Fire Information Website for the most up to date danger ratings.

Minister Pat Bell of the BC Ministry of Forests & Range announces new limits to campfire size. In summary as of July 1st 2010, campfires must be no larger than 0.5 meters tall by 0.5 meters across (1’ 6” x 1’ 6”). For the full story please check the BC Forest Fire Information Website.

Effective June 15th Back yard burning is prohibited

Effective immediately, pile-burning of all MACHINE-STACKED or CATEGORY 3 QUANTITIES* of LANDCLEARING DEBRIS is BANNED in all CVRD Electoral Areas (except Thetis Island).  Land clearing debris must be chipped, ground or reused on site.  If no suitable alternatives are available, land clearing debris may be burned ONLY with the use of an air curtain or trench burner.

CVRD Ban