Campfire bans weren't implemented throughout the Coastal Fire Centre in 2019 or 2020 after several years of hot, dry conditions. (file photo/The Canadian Press)

By Spencer Sterritt

no embers

Campfire bans avoided in Coastal Fire Centre region for second summer in a row

Aug 28, 2020 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — Strong messaging about how to avoid human-caused fires appears to be sticking in the minds of Vancouver Island campers.

The Coastal Fire Centre confirmed on Thursday, Aug. 27 the number of human caused fires in 2020 dropped significantly to 63, down from 99 the year before.

Fire information officer Donna MacPherson told NanaimoNewsNOW the reduced numbers and minimized risk of a fire due to cooler weather meant a campfire ban wasn’t necessary for 2020.

“Right now we’re beginning to believe the public is learning how to put out campfires properly. (It) was a bit of a lost art for a few years, I think. People realized they couldn’t just dump their cooler full of melted ice on (the fire) and expect it to be out.”

Campers across Vancouver Island and B.C.’s south coast managed to avoid a campfire ban in 2019 as well.

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MacPherson said there were close calls both years.

“In all the cases as we came up to the brink (of a ban), there was rain in the forecast and we were able to hold off until after the rain event happened. That helped a great deal.”

This is not the first time there hasn’t been a campfire ban two years in a row, with a ban being avoided last in 2011 and 2012.

MacPherson said efforts to reduce human-caused wildfires are appreciated, but a ban would be necessary in 2021 if hot, dry weather returns for an extended period of time.

“If we go through one of those periods like we had a few years back where we had hot, dry weather settle for weeks and weeks with no precipitation, that may require a campfire prohibition.”

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt