COFC Status Report for the week ending May 29th, 2024
Overview
The Coastal Fire Centre has seen more precipitation across the region this week, resulting in a reduction of our fire danger ratings across most fire zones.
25 wildfires have been reported in the Coastal Fire Centre so far this year, all of which are suspected to be human caused. On this same date last year, we had 41 fires reported in the Coastal Fire Centre. The 25 wildfires reported in the Coastal Fire Centre this year are slightly below the 10-year average of 30 fires.
The Coastal Fire Centre enacted a Category 2 as well as a Category 3 prohibition on Friday May 17th at 12 noon PDT for the entire fire centre's jurisdiction. This includes backyard and industrial burning, along with other specific equipment and activities such as fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description, and air curtain burners.
The prohibition will remain in place until October 31, or until the order is rescinded. Read the full information bulletin for more details:
While there are no immediate plans to implement a campfire prohibition, indices and weather conditions are being monitored. If and when the indices reach a set threshold, that will be the time a prohibition is implemented. We ask that residents always follow the guidelines below:
A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly, and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material.
Maintain a fireguard around your campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil.
Never leave a fire unattended, and ensure it remains in control within your fireguard.
Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.
Before lighting any fire, residents within a local government jurisdiction must check in with their local government and observe any bylaws that are in place.
Please check www.bcwildfire.ca for the most up to date information on open burning bans and current wildfires within the Coastal Fire Centre.