Burn barrels and other, larger open fires are now permitted in the Coastal Fire Centre, including all of Vancouver Island. (Dreamstime)

By Alex Rawnsley

lower fire danger

Backyard & industrial fire bans lifted by Coastal Fire Centre

Sep 18, 2024 | 1:59 PM

NANAIMO — A return of fall-like conditions has given local fire officials enough confidence to rescind seasonal fire bans.

Effective at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, category two and three open fires will again be permitted by the Coastal Fire Centre after an extended spell of cooler and wetter weather, with more on the way.

Information officer Rebecca Grogan said the risk of a large incident has reduced considerably recently.

“While the fire danger rating risk has declined on the coast, we still ask the public to use caution with open fire and ensure burning is done in a safe and responsible manner in accordance with the regulations we have.”

Category two fires include burn piles not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width, or grass fires in an area not exceeding 0.2 hectares.

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Also permitted again are tiki torches, outdoor stoves, sky lanterns, fireworks, burn barrels and binary exploding targets.

Category three fires are considered larger open fires, exceeding the two metre by three metre measurement, or grass burns over 0.2 hectares.

All burning, use of torches, fireworks or other previously prohibited items, must still be allowed by local government regulations from municipal or regional governments.

The fire season on Vancouver Island was relatively quiet, with only a handful of notable starts.

A grass fire along the banks of the Nanaimo River in early August represented the largest response on the mid-Island, however the situation was largely dealt with in two days.

Similarly, a fire in the backcountry west of Nanaimo earlier in September was also quickly handled, with a barricade dug around the fire to prevent further spread.

The largest fire on Vancouver Island this summer was the 230 hectare Old Man Lake fire north of Sooke.

As of Wednesday, it remains burning but is considered under control.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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