The Coastal Fire Centre is lifting some campfire prohibitions starting at noon on Sept. 17 for areas north and west of the mid-Island. (Dreamstime)

By Jordan Davidson

cooling off

Partial campfire ban lifted for coastal B.C., remains in effect for mid-Island

Sep 17, 2025 | 10:07 AM

NANAIMO — A campfire ban for much of B.C.’s coast has been partially lifted to the benefit of outdoor enthusiasts on north Vancouver Island.

Starting at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 17, the campfire prohibition will be lifted in the following districts of the Coastal Fire Centre: Campbell River, the North Island Central Coast, and the Sunshine Coast Forest District.

Fire Information officer Jennifer Lohmeyer said they encourage people to visit their website or check in with their local fire departments if they’re unsure what prohibitions remain in effect in their area.

“The Campbell River Natural Resource District, the boundary does start between Fanny Bay and Union Bay, and traverses westward across the Island, but again, we encourage people to visit the BC Wildfire Service website to look at the map and confirm where the boundaries of the natural resource districts are.”

Campfires remain prohibited throughout the rest of the Coastal Fire Centre, including Nanaimo and the Oceanside region, with Haida Gwaii the lone exception.

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

18h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

Some northern and coastal areas will have partial campfire prohibitions lifted at noon on Sept. 17. (Coastal Fire Centre)

“Right now, the fire danger rating remains low over mid to northern portions of Vancouver Island, and it’s still moderate in the southern portions of Vancouver Island,” said Lohmeyer.

Activities previously banned but now allowed in those areas include the use of sky lanterns and wood-fired devices such as wood-fired hot tubs and pizza ovens.

While campfires are now allowed in those mentioned areas, category two and three open fires remain prohibited, which includes backyard and industrial burning, and the use of fireworks, burn barrels and burn cages.

Those restrictions will remain in place until Oct. 31, unless otherwise rescinded earlier.

More information on the different categories of open burning is available here.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook