Published on : Friday, June 27, 2014
Anyone planning to go camping this weekend or on the Canada Day holiday should remember provincial rules about campfire safety.
Although large-scale open burning is now prohibited in many regions of the province, small and contained campfires are currently permitted in all six of B.C.’s fire centres.
Detailed information about burning restrictions in B.C. are available on the Wildfire Management Branch website .
Here’s some important information about campfire use:
Always find out if any burning prohibitions are in effect.
Check the Wildfire Management Branch website at: www.bcwildfire.ca
If campfires are allowed in your area, bring a shovel or keep at least eight litres of water nearby to properly extinguish your campfire.
Campfires cannot be larger than 0.5 metres in height and 0.5 metres in diameter.
Do not light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions.
Weather can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material and start new fires.
You must maintain a one-metre fireguard around the campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, kindling, etc.) have been removed.
Never leave a campfire unattended.
Make sure that the campfire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
Also ensure that cigarette butts are properly extinguished and are not tossed away carelessly.
You may be held accountable for damages and fire suppression costs if your negligence results in a wildfire.
So far this season, the Wildfire Management Branch has responded to over 300 wildfires, the vast majority of which were caused by people. Every human-caused fire is preventable.
This time of year, before wildfire risks increase significantly throughout the province, is an ideal time for individual homeowners and communities to take simple steps to reduce the potential impacts of wildfire.
Be proactive, be practical and be FireSmart.
Quote:
Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson –
“Never leave your campfire unattended and always keep water and a hand tool nearby in case you need to put out the fire quickly.
Make sure that your campfire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area for any length of time.”
Tags: Canada
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