Open Burning Ban for the Sunshine Coast

After a week of warm dry weather, the BC Wildfire Service is prohibiting  Category 2 (back yard) and Category 3  (industrial) open fires in the Coastal Fire Centre effective 12:00 noon Friday May 17, 2024.

In addition to these prohibitions, the Coastal Fire Centre will also be restricting the following activities and equipment:

• Fireworks
• Sky Lanterns
• Binary Exploding Targets
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
• Air Curtain Burners

Fire Departments across the Sunshine Coast will continue to evaluate the need for further prohibitions and restrictions but with the current forecast, we are still a few weeks away from considering a Category 1 campfire prohibition.

Those who wish to have campfires must ensure that the fire is no larger than half a metre wide by half a metre high in size.

If you are planning to have a campfire, you must ensure that you always have at least eight litres of water or a hand tool with you while the campfire is lit. Before leaving your fire, you must put it out so that it is cool to the touch. Check out this [www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions/category-1-campfire-poster.pdf]resource from the BC Wildfire Service for further information.

In the Gibsons area, there are different fire regulations for the two SCRD rural areas; Elphinstone and West Howe Sound and the Town of Gibsons. Campfires are allowed in Elphinstone and West Howe Sound year-round but may be banned by the Fire Chief during high risk periods. The Town of Gibsons does not allow campfires at any time.

If you are unsure if your address is in an SCRD rural area or the Town of Gibsons, you can search your address here.

Further information on the burning ban can be found here from the BC Wildfire Service.