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B.C. campfire ban to begin for almost entire province as 150 wildfires burn

Click to play video: 'Campfire ban in effect in B.C. as wildfire season begins to ramp up'
Campfire ban in effect in B.C. as wildfire season begins to ramp up
Campfires are now banned amid rising wildfire fears as we head into another stretch of hot, dry weather. Andrea Macpherson has more. – Jul 12, 2024

A provincewide campfire ban will be in effect starting at noon Friday

The BC Wildfire Service said with the increased number of wildfires, and increased risk of new fire starts, the complete ban is necessary.

The campfire ban is to try and mitigate as many human-caused wildfires as possible.

In addition to campfires not being allowed, the ban includes fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels and air curtain burners.

These prohibitions apply to all public and private land unless specified otherwise, according to the B.C. government; for example, in a local government bylaw.

Due to its unique ecosystem and climate, Haida Gwaii is exempt from the fire ban.

Click to play video: 'Wildfire crews on high alert after days of B.C. heat'
Wildfire crews on high alert after days of B.C. heat

“Much of B.C. has seen very hot, and sometimes record-breaking, temperatures over the past week, prompting Environment Canada to issue heat warnings for many regions,” B.C. Ministry of Forests staff said in a release.

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“While heat warnings have been lifted in some areas, the hot weather is predicted to continue for parts of the province, combined with the risk of high winds and lightning.”

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To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, use the BC Wildfire Service mobile app or call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free.

Anyone found to be in contravention of the fire ban could be issued a ticket for $1,150 and could be required to pay a penalty of up to $10,000. If convicted in court, a person could be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in prison.

According to the BC Wildfire Service dashboard, there are 150 wildfires currently burning around the province.

Click to play video: 'Are you ready for a wildfire? 3 critical ways to prepare your family and home'
Are you ready for a wildfire? 3 critical ways to prepare your family and home

B.C. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma said the province has a full contingent of firefighters ready to go.

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“We currently have access to our full complement of our firefighting personnel of more than 2,000 people, with 500 deployed in the ground,” she said.

“And we are proactively working to secure out-of-province resources.”

Ma said anyone who lives in a place where wildfire could happen needs to stay prepared.

“My message to people and communities across the province is to be prepared. Be prepared but know that you don’t have to go it alone,” Ma said.

“The brave men and women of the B.C. Wildfire Service put everything on the line to fight fires.”

The service adds that its personnel are constantly monitoring and assessing conditions, and resources are deployed to areas of highest risk.

Dozens of heat records have fallen in the past few days across the province.

How prepared are you for a wildfire? Here are a few critical ways to get prepared for a potential wildfire in your area.

Click to play video: 'Kelowna equipped with ‘game changer’ of a firefighting tool'
Kelowna equipped with ‘game changer’ of a firefighting tool

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