EXTREME FIRE HAZARD TOTAL FIRE BAN IN EFFECT

  • A Complete and Total FIRE BAN is in effect.  No fires of any kind.
  • No Smoking in or near the forest.
  • All High-Risk Activities are prohibited.
  • If the activity you are considering creates an ignition source or any kind of a spark……please don’t do it.

Ground patrols will be ongoing in high risk areas.

High Risk Activities (Machinery & Industrial Operations)

High-risk activities include but are not limited to any of the following activities carried out in a wooded or near area: –

  • operating a power saw;
  • mechanical tree felling, woody debris piling or tree processing, including de-limbing;
  • welding;
  • portable wood chipping, milling, processing or manufacturing;
  • skidding logs

Other high risk activities include: mechanical brushing, disk trenching, use of explosives, using spark or fire producing tools, fireworks, grinding, mechanical land clearing and maintaining right of ways (including grass mowing).

The following activities are also prohibited:

  • the use of stoves and other portable campfire apparatuses that are not CSA-approved or ULC-approved
  • the use of tiki torches, fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, chimineas, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description
  • the use of binary exploding targets (e.g. for rifle target practice)

FAQ’s

Is a charcoal barbecue allowed? Enclosed propane or briquette BBQ’s, used with due caution, are permitted.

Can I use a gas powered log splitter? No, it is considered a high risk activity.

What if I see someone smoking at Chickadee Lake? There are private individuals that are patrolling Winter Wren and Chickadee Lake daily. I have also been doing regular patrols.

Is it okay to use an electric weed wacker with a nylon line during the fire ban? Although, not specifically restricted, we ask that you try and wait until the fire danger is lower to use anything that may cause a spark.

I have seen people parking their car on the side of the road in the grass, is that ok? Never park your vehicle in tall, dry grass or other dry organic material. Heat from your exhaust system can spark a wildfire. 

SMOKY SKIES BULLETIN

Recent north-easterly winds aloft have provided air quality improvements to Interior communities while most Coastal communities have seen an increase in wildfire smoke. Winds are expected to change to a westerly direction today which will have the opposite effect; Coastal communities will see a gradual improvement in air quality as Pacific air moves onshore while Interior communities will likely see a deterioration in air quality from the numerous wildfires that continue to burn.
During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.

Wildfire smoke is a natural part of our environment but it is important to be mindful that exposure to smoke may affect your health.
People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, infants, children and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.

The bulletin can be accessed online at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/
air/air-quality/air-advisories
For general information about wildfire smoke and your health, contact HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

For more information on current air quality, see: www.bcairquality.ca.