Campfires and backyard burning will once again be permitted within the Coastal Fire Centre starting at noon on Thursday, Sept. 25, while category three industrial burning is still prohibited at this time. (Dreamstime)

By Jordan Davidson

campfire time

Campfire and backyard burning bans being lifted for Nanaimo & Oceanside

Sep 24, 2025 | 10:17 AM

NANAIMO — Campfires and backyard burns will once again be permitted in all areas of the Coastal Fire Centre (CFC).

Changes come into effect starting at noon on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Information officer Julia Caranci said they’re able to lift the restrictions thanks to recent rainfall and more showers expected in the short-term forecast.

“What that has done is lowered our indices within the Coastal region. We’re into a fall-like weather pattern now, we have shorter days, longer nights, and better overnight recoveries, so that means we’re not likely to see elevated fire behaviour and any new or existing incidents within the CFC.”

The announcement comes just over a week after the Coastal Fire Centre partially lifted the campfire ban for parts of coastal B.C. and northern Vancouver Island.

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Use of things like sky lanterns, burn barrels, binary exploding targets and fireworks (within legal parameters) will once again be permitted.

Bans on industrial burning category three fires remains in place, except for the North Island Centre Coast Forest District and Haida Gwaii.

Those include the use of air curtain burners and carbonizers, according to the CFC.

A map outlining the current fire prohibition areas within the CFC, with all category one and two restrictions being recinded at noon on Sept. 25. (Coastal Fire Centre)

Caranci said they encourage anyone planning a fire this weekend on their property to check with local authorities to ensure local bylaws are being followed.

“Within our jurisdiction, which is Crown land and also includes B.C. parks, recs and trails, people will be allowed to have campfires again.”

Those category 3 restrictions will remain in place until Oct. 31, unless otherwise rescinded earlier.

More information on the different categories of burning is available here, with more information on all current fire bans available here at the BC Wildfire website.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle.

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