Planning on a campfire this long weekend? Tips to avoid adding to BC’s wildfire count
Posted May 20, 2016 7:52 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If camping is in your long weekend plans, BC’s Wildfire Management Branch has a few things for you to keep in mind.
There have already been more wildfires than usual at this point in the season around the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Generally by this time of year, there have been about 20 fires. This season, there have already been more than 30. Donna MacPherson with the Branch says all but one have been caused by people.
If roasting marshmallows is part of your outdoor experience, MacPherson is reminding you that campfire has to be smaller than half-a-metre by half-a-metre.
“We need a mineral soil around the fire and under the fire. We need somebody to sit beside it and have tools to put it out… Most importantly, when you leave the area, make sure it’s out cold to the touch. So, that’s lots of water — stirring water… stirring until it’s cold,” she says.
“We’re… prohibiting fireworks and firecrackers, sky lanterns, burning barrels in cages, and something called a ‘binary exploding target,’ which is a rifle target that blows up when you shoot it.”
MacPherson notes some local fire departments are putting on fireworks displays.
She warns we’re very close to a full campfire ban, and forecasts say we may soon be heading back to warmer and drier conditions.
“Part of the thing that decides a campfire prohibition is also what people are doing out there in the forests. So, give us a chance here — we don’t want any campfire-related accidents that wind up as wildfires.”
MacPherson warns forests are a lot drier than many people expect — particularly ground and foliage that may have been sheltered by trees.
