Category two and three fires in the Coastal Fire Centre are permitted effective noon on Friday, June 19. This includes burn barrels, fireworks and sky lanterns. (Billie Grace Ward/Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

BURNING RESTRICTIONS

Coastal Fire Centre peels back bans on burn barrels & fireworks

Jun 19, 2020 | 4:02 PM

NANAIMO — A series of measures which successfully limited human-caused wildfires are now being rescinded by the Coastal Fire Centre.

A ban on category two and three fires initially went in place in April as provincial fire officials looked to limit the chances of human-caused wildfires at the apex of the pandemic.

Dorthe Jakobsen, Coastal Fire Centre information officer, said the ministry of environment revoked their ban on category two and three fires and they will follow suit effective at noon on Friday, June 19.

“We haven’t reached the threshold we would normally use to ban these open fires, so there’s no reason for us to maintain the prohibition,” Jakobsen said.

Category two and three fires relate to burn barrels and cages, sky lanterns, fireworks and exploding targets.

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The Coastal Fire Centre saw a cool, damp stretch over recent weeks and months put the region behind historical averages through the middle of June.

As of June 18, 28 human-caused fires were detected in the region burning a total of 236 hectares.

The 10-year average for the same time period is 35 fires and 1,300 hectares burnt.

“It’s very hard to predict any long term weather but from what they see now and from the modelling that Environment Canada and the province undertake, they are predicting an average fire season,” Jakobsen said.

The Coastal Fire Centre recommends anyone planning to light a fire should check with local bylaws and restrictions in place to ensure all necessary safety precautions are met.

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